Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice is one of the best PSP games I've played.

Rainbow Islands Evolution is a disappointment, and more of a devolution than its title would have you believe. It will likely only succeed in frustrating fans of the classic retro game, and confusing newcomers to the once joyous world of Bub and Bob.

On one hand you've got a fiendishly hard single-player game that taxes the mind as much as the reflexes, and on the other there's a more considered two-player game with a slower pace and more tactical play. Either way PixelJunk Monsters is another fine addition to the PSN line-up.

What first appeared to be a shameless money making coming together of two of gaming's most famous icons has actually turned out to be a fun collection of Olympic events presented with a simple and fun control scheme.

Going back to the standard menu-driven system of the past was pretty jarring after spending days cruising from event to event in Paradise. I was simply having more fun in Criterion's latest racer.

The fact that there's no custom soundtrack support is odd, considering every PS3 comes with a hard drive.

A funky, fun third-person hack and slash marred by some boring open world side-missions. It's no more simple, or complicated, than that.

Endless Ocean is a game that goes out of its way to ease the player into its world. It's so calm and relaxing that at times you'll wonder if you have a pulse, only to suddenly spring back to life when something catches your eye - be it a massive shark or some sunken treasure.

Dark Conflict remains one of the best games on the DS, is perfect for a lengthy commute, works brilliantly online and, for us, comes out on top compared with Dual Strike.

Newcomers might find things a little too complex, but PC gamers who have experience with these types of games should be rewarded for their efforts.

With some of the worst presentation the Wii has seen and some partially broken controls, even an inevitable appearance in a bargain bin shouldn't tempt you to buy Nitrobike.

If mainstream releases are leaving you feeling a little uninspired, Omega Five should be just the kind of boost your daily intake needs.

Played with friends Circle of Doom is mildly entertaining for a short time, but it's unquestionably one of the most disappointing games Microsoft has released for the Xbox 360.

The new ship and the new map look fantastic, and Omega Factory does seem to be slightly better graphically than the previous levels.

Simple, down to earth footballing fun.

But for those of us who have never played the original NiGHTS, Journey of Dreams is a fun and cheerful game that fits perfectly within the Wii's casual gaming philosophy.

It ticks all the boxes for those fans though, with only the slightly underwhelming visuals likely to disappoint.

It ticks all the boxes for those fans though, with only the slightly underwhelming visuals likely to disappoint.

A stunning looking, slick and polished FPS that every competitive PS3 gamer should add to their collection.

If you love FPS gaming you owe it to yourself to get The Orange Box. Hell, if you love gaming, you owe it to yourself to get it.

A game that simply isn't that much fun to play. Had we not been treated to Wii Sports then the controls on offer here would no doubt have seemed far more impressive, and the truth is that the Wii game destroys Sony's attempt. Sony's PSN is full of high quality releases, but High Velocity Bowling isn't one of them.

Just a shoddily put together game that will fail to excite even the most hardcore monster fans. Avoid this at all costs.

It's totally devoid of game modes other than the core team-based play, so forget about it unless you plan to play with a group of friends fairly regularly. If you do, then this party game offers enough new ideas that aren't seen in every other family Wii title to make it worth adding to your collection.

The problems playing online are a major let down, and, for us, prevent the game from getting an eight. Ignore that, and, somewhat surprisingly, you've got one of the Wii's most fun fighting games.

While things do get a little repetitive after a while, there's a huge amount here for your money, and though it will likely be little more than a passing fad, Pain deserves plentiful success. With several planned expansions, Pain is another gem in Sony's underrated PSN crown.

It's addictive, well executed, has a degree of charm which is difficult to pin down and has a pulsing, electro soundtrack that'll leave you itching to hit the clubs.

The worst Wii game I've had the misfortune to play and a huge disappointment for Wii owners desperate for more arcade racing action.

Combining simple magic tricks with the DS is a great idea and young kids will get a real thrill out of performing in front of their friends.

A solid, fun and at times entrancing shooter that stands head and shoulders above most titles on the service in the graphics department.

Mass Effect is a triumph. A triumph for the science fiction video game, a triumph for the action RPG and a triumph for next generation gaming. And it sets up the sequel perfectly. I want to know what happens next.

If you enjoy games with decent plots, developed characters and brilliant dialogue, this violent, offensive and witty action game is probably worth your attention, and if you're a shooting game purist, try not to expect too much and you'll still have plenty to enjoy.

Problems are present, such as the inclusion of a few foreign tracks in mystery set lists during the World Tour (not the easiest of songs to jump into without having any prior experience) and we still prefer the guitars included with Guitar Hero, but these aren't enough to hurt what is a unique gaming experience.

Problems are present, such as the inclusion of a few foreign tracks in mystery set lists during the World Tour (not the easiest of songs to jump into without having any prior experience) and we still prefer the guitars included with Guitar Hero, but these aren't enough to hurt what is a unique gaming experience.

It's a game that has the potential to be played for hours and hours if you want to go for high scores and all the unlockable items, but many gamers may find the 20-minute campaign to be far too short.

Most importantly, DS owners in general who are looking for something a little different will find Revenant Wings loads of fun. It's perfect for a medium length commute, never gets too complicated and has an excellent learning curve.

There's been enough alterations and inclusions to justify a purchase by Retro Evolved fans (it certainly feels like more of a fleshed out game now) and its simple, unique and easy to get into gameplay should keep the more casual among us engaged for hours on end.

It's incredibly difficult and frustrating in places, but it's still a recommended purchase if the idea of carving up skin, lasering tumours and drawing five-point stars floats your boat.

UT3 really is a stunning-looking game that's only really surpassed in terms of visuals by recent PC-killer Crysis.

So while Mario Party continues on its inevitable course for world domination in Japan, we're left scratching our heads. We'd rather be partying with Wario Ware Touched!

As a budget release you can forgive many of its problems, but that doesn't make it a better game.

Although Crysis on the PC has wiped the floor with every game available, on the console front Uncharted is right up there with the best. The jungle settings are gorgeous and make use of some stunning lighting, while the indoor settings are detailed and moody.

It would be easy to give Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 an easy time simply because it's on the Wii and is a mini-game collection, but when the original game is a far more impressive game, Rabbids 2 has nowhere to hide.

ProStreet isn't a bad game, it simply doesn't hold a candle to its competition, and Need for Speed fans will be left wondering where all the fun has gone from the illegal, turned legal, street racing series.

It's hard, action packed, tactical and utterly amazing to look at. It wouldn't be at all surprising if Crysis remains the best looking video game well into 2008 and maybe even beyond. Hopefully by then we'll have the hardware to keep up with the game engine.

Don't get me started on the ending. This pretty much nailed the coffin shut on the game's fate as a good but not stunning title. You'll have to experience it for yourself, but it simply didn't deliver what it should have. It left me wanting more, which Ubisoft may well see as job done, but gamers don't buy games with the hope that they're completed within the next few years; they want a conclusion straight away.

If you enjoy games with decent plots, developed characters and brilliant dialogue, this violent, offensive and witty action game is probably worth your attention, and if you're a shooting game purist, try not to expect too much and you'll still have plenty to enjoy.

As stunning as the game looks and as enthralled as I was by the story - which really is quite intriguing if you look for all the information - the game's flaws are too hard to ignore. They mostly boil down to how the game seemingly goes out of its way to make things less fun than they should be.

It's a reviewing cliché, but this is one for hardcore fans only.

In the end, WWE Smackdown! Vs RAW 2008 will sell regardless of its quality, but it's not going to get many newcomers if the series continues to stagnate in what can only be described as last-gen gameplay in new-gen clothes.

A thoroughly decent blast.

If you enjoy games with decent plots, developed characters and brilliant dialogue, this violent, offensive and witty action game is probably worth your attention, and if you're a shooting game purist, try not to expect too much and you'll still have plenty to enjoy.

It makes the most of modern technology to bring a classic game world up to date, throws in simple but intuitive controls and doesn't rely on constant fire-fights to bring excitement.

ProStreet isn't a bad game, it simply doesn't hold a candle to its competition, and Need for Speed fans will be left wondering where all the fun has gone from the illegal, turned legal, street racing series.

ProStreet isn't a bad game, it simply doesn't hold a candle to its competition, and Need for Speed fans will be left wondering where all the fun has gone from the illegal, turned legal, street racing series.

ProStreet isn't a bad game, it simply doesn't hold a candle to its competition, and Need for Speed fans will be left wondering where all the fun has gone from the illegal, turned legal, street racing series.

ProStreet isn't a bad game, it simply doesn't hold a candle to its competition, and Need for Speed fans will be left wondering where all the fun has gone from the illegal, turned legal, street racing series.

Despite the niggles the main thing to say about Rivals 2 is that it's great fun. And fun, lest we forget, is what it's all about. The whoring of Sonic the Hedgehog continues of course, but the Sonic Rivals series continues to do its best to stem the flow of blue-skinned cow dung.

Smarty Pants is exactly what you'd expect it to be, but nothing more. It's basically an interactive quiz, with none of the frills seen in rival titles from Sony and Microsoft.

Orcs & Elves is no revolution. It's Western role-playing the way it used to be - hidden passages, mountains of gold, dead dwarves and a temperamental dragon. It's perfect fodder for the geek in you, and a half-an-hour train ride, but don't expect it to rock your world.

Although the controls in this Wii version of Medal of Honor Heroes 2 are superior to those in the PSP version (if you can get the hang of them), I found myself having more fun with the handheld game.

Those after a single-player experience will see all the game has to offer in a day, while online gamers will find themselves coming back to Heroes 2 for some time.

It's just run-of-the-mill game design. Bar the occasionally impressive combat, Beowulf doesn't have enough to make it stand out.

It's just run-of-the-mill game design. Bar the occasionally impressive combat, Beowulf doesn't have enough to make it stand out.

It's just run-of-the-mill game design. Bar the occasionally impressive combat, Beowulf doesn't have enough to make it stand out.

Beyond the short-ish 15-mission single-player experience you have a very basic ad hoc two-player Skirmish multiplayer mode that doesn't really add much to the game.

In the hands of anyone who's been longing for a true sequel to Mario 64, Super Mario Galaxy could well be the game of the year, but for me the latter half struggles to match the creativity and moments of magic experienced during the opening.

Other than the odd set-piece, Blacksite has nothing to warrant recommending it above the other big hitters and some severe technical issues drag it down considerably.

Other than the odd set-piece, Blacksite has nothing to warrant recommending it above the other big hitters and some severe technical issues drag it down considerably.

So, if it wasn't for the frustrating camera, Squad Command would have been a recommended PSP purchase for all. As it is, it's only recommended for die-hard Warhammer fans and turn-based enthusiasts.

Origins has all the hallmarks of a great Silent Hill game, but it does nothing to eradicate the series' faults.

Bladestorm does provide and incredibly well structured action-strategy game, and it juggles depth and accessibility with panache.

Bladestorm does provide and incredibly well structured action-strategy game, and it juggles depth and accessibility with panache.

Neat ideas like the inclusion of actual world records, and the option to gamble the potential points you could win from an event round off this tidy compilation.

Complete Saga will charm the socks off Star Wars fanatics and platforming fanboys alike.

Complete Saga is just a bringing together of those two games with a smattering of new levels. But for those of you who haven't tried Lego Star Wars before and are looking for one of the best games for the Wii, Complete Saga will charm your socks off.

Built from the ground up by a new developer, the DS has finally got a Lego Star Wars game to be proud of. Whether you're a Star Wars fanatic or DS owner looking for a polished, fun time, you could do a lot worse.

A word of warning though: this game has the most annoying background music EVER, a jazz-style soundtrack that completely destroys the languid atmosphere of the gameplay. Play it with the sound off, or you'll find yourself being driven slowly mad.

A considerable multiplayer mode and truly excellent musical score round off a nice package, but Tactical Strike isn't quite the amazing new direction for real time strategy it could have been.

The 360 game's soul shines just as bright now as it did a year ago, and so the PC version, with its improved visuals, lengthened campaign, more multiplayer maps and a game editor at least matches it, and perhaps even exceeds it.

If you're after a simple game that a large group of non-gamers can play together, Scene it? will do the job very well. With the promise of downloadable content, the game should live on well beyond the initial 1800 questions and the lack of wires on the big button controllers is great for a party environment.

F.E.A.R. Files is a highly enjoyable package, but the games do show their heritage. Both expansions are based on an engine that we first saw over two years ago and games have moved on.

The overriding feeling you'll get from Viva Piñata is one of depth.

CoD4 has all the terrorist activity you'd want, evil leaders, dramatic encounters and plenty of stunning scripted moments that will make your jaw hit the floor.

Although a new setting, Call of Duty 4 is everything we've come to love about the series and continues its tradition of stunning visuals and thrilling gameplay. The single-player is short but the Arcade game mode and brilliant online multiplayer combine to create one of the games of the year.

CoD4 has all the terrorist activity you'd want, evil leaders, dramatic encounters and plenty of stunning scripted moments that will make your jaw hit the floor.

Out of all the Pixar and Dreamworks games, it is absolutely among one of the best, and would make for a brilliant Christmas present if you're looking to satisfy the kids over the festive season.

with solid marks in terms of combat, characterisation and plot, coupled with a first rate graphics engine (a version of Bioware's Aurora engine that's completely unrecognisable from its original incarnation in Neverwinter Nights), a fine orchestral score, high production values and a willingness to tackle adult themes, The Witcher's strengths outweigh its few flaws (long loading times and the aforementioned translation issues) by a considerable margin.

If you're somehow done with all the big FPS releases of the year then TimeShift isn't a bad option, it's just not a game that will get a second look by most gamers gorging themselves on the likes of Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4.

Veterans and newbies alike will be impressed with how sumptuous the game looks. It's easily the best looking fighter on a console.

Just about as good as the series is going to get on the PlayStation 2. If you want a game that the entire family can enjoy no matter their prior exposure to video games, The Mega Quiz will be perfect.

For all its charm and my early enthusiasm for Party Animals, there simply isn't enough creativity to make this a title families will keep coming back to.

Out of all the Pixar and Dreamworks games, it is absolutely among one of the best, and would make for a brilliant Christmas present if you're looking to satisfy the kids over the festive season.

Out of all the Pixar and Dreamworks games, it is absolutely among one of the best, and would make for a brilliant Christmas present if you're looking to satisfy the kids over the festive season.

Out of all the Pixar and Dreamworks games, it is absolutely among one of the best, and would make for a brilliant Christmas present if you're looking to satisfy the kids over the festive season.

The camera is a nightmare, often getting stuck behind some invisible barrier or randomly switching to new and more disorienting angles. The collision detection's had a nervous breakdown, the puzzles are as laborious as a two-hour queue in the freezing cold and the combat has about as much depth as the shallow end at your local swimming pool.

The camera is a nightmare, often getting stuck behind some invisible barrier or randomly switching to new and more disorienting angles. The collision detection's had a nervous breakdown, the puzzles are as laborious as a two-hour queue in the freezing cold and the combat has about as much depth as the shallow end at your local swimming pool.

The camera is a nightmare, often getting stuck behind some invisible barrier or randomly switching to new and more disorienting angles. The collision detection's had a nervous breakdown, the puzzles are as laborious as a two-hour queue in the freezing cold and the combat has about as much depth as the shallow end at your local swimming pool.

The Simpsons Game for the DS might not look quite as visually impressive as its counterparts on the bigger consoles, but it offers many hours of fun, and - as already mentioned - is worth buying simply for the lovingly crafted Simpsons cut-scenes.