Hardcore driving fans may argue that this doesn't offer enough options in the way of car upgrades, but you won't find another rally game that's this much fun to play.

A perfect example of how exaggerated sports games can often be more fun that their realistic counterparts.

There's no denying the marked improvements which make Pandora Tomorrow a far more amicable gaming experience, unfortunately it's the similarities that keep it from greatness. This plays how the original should have.

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.

The Star Wars game that will have fans in absolute rapture because the presentation and authenticity is totally flawless. Forget technical prowess or ground-breaking gameplay (although Battlefront is by no means ordinary in this department), this game has been built from the ground up by fans, for fans.

Most annoying of all is the painfully slow response of the players, as they stumble through their pre-set animations, never sparing a thought that the button you pressed two-seconds earlier might be a little inappropriate now.

The conversion from the GameCube originals are flawless, and although some may bemoan the lack of Live support, this shouldn't take anything away from this perfect console party piece.

A particularly good example of why SEGA and Sonic Team are so revered within the games industry.

Forget flashy rendered graphics – this is a bargain at 35 quid, and will mean you won’t have to buy another fighting game for a long, long time.

Ultimately, if you approach this with an open mind, you'll discover a well-designed and deeply engaging piece of software.

The reduced teams make this game not only easier to follow but also a lot more fun to play than the EA hockey game.

Third Age is the definitive Lord Of The Rings experience. It remains faithful to the film trilogy in terms of graphics and sound, and uses the licence to full effect, while at the same time delivering a captivating and enjoyable adventure. Good work EA.

There is plenty of customisation and character development, and a large variety of mini-games to master. There's never been a better time to enjoy the lighter side of golf.

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.

Visually the game is now crisp like snow as far as the eye can see.

We're basically being screwed from behind while simultaneously being fed the most exquisite cuisine. What a predicament. Oh well... us GameCube owners are used to being screwed, so we may as well just close our eyes and taste the honey.

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]

Those who have always wanted to have the chance to star in a real life cartoon should look no further than this fun little game. The cult starts here!

With some occasionally spooky moments, dialogue that isn’t afraid to say **** and NPCs that don’t mind the occasional vomiting session you’ve got a game that does the source film justice.

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.

Frustrating as it can be, every fight is a spectacle of chaotic gameplay that will have you absorbed.

It looks wonderful, plays like a dream and deserves a place in the games collection of any self-respecting strategy fan immediately.

The Sims 2 might not be an incredible game, technically, but it's the stories that are written in your head and the situations that are thrown up as you play that make it a unique experience.

It’s a challenging game, but if you like your games to tax that sponge between your ears and have enough dedication to put in the effort required to get the most out of it – this will give you weeks of entertainment.

Think about it: How many other games out there can keep our collective attention for so long without even giving us anything as tangible as the thrill of completing a single level?

Rather than just create a lazy racing game and throwing in a load of huge rigs, Big Mutha Truckers has RPG elements, which mean that every player will have a different trucking experience and you’ll need to be a successful businessman as well as a good driver in order to succeed.

If you're willing to invest the time in it, there's no denying that Nippon Ichi has once again come good with another zillion hours of great RPG gaming for those hungry for numbers.

All at once. Astro boy is challenging, beautiful and in these days, utterly unique in its simplicity. Action fans will want to snap this up at the very first opportunity. [JPN Import]