Creativity can be one of the deadliest weapons in your arsenal in this free-form third-person shooter. Playing with toy soldiers was never this fun.

This is my first real experience with the Pokémon universe (I've been told repeatedly that the next gen versions of the game do not capture the fun of the handheld), and I must say I'm quiet impressed.

As light-hearted as it is, it has a seriously addictive flavour to it and it looks and sounds great to boot.

Creativity can be one of the deadliest weapons in your arsenal in this free-form third-person shooter. Playing with toy soldiers was never this fun.

An expertly crafted game, that’s almost completely at home on the handy Playstation Portable. With the exception of the lack of camera control, Portable Ops does almost everything right in translating the Metal Gear experience to the handheld platform, as well as adding some significant elements from both a gameplay and technical perspective.

Suffice it to say, once you start playing the game and dissolve into that zone of blissful concentration, you'll understand.

If not for some small issues with the control, it would have been a great expansion on the original, and deserving of the same accolades the original had.

There's more than just running and gunning, too. Sometimes you'll have to solve puzzles, while other levels are more of a carnival shooting gallery. The overall experience is one of exploration, puzzle-solving and action that kept me wanting to push farther.

A must own for the fans, and definitely worth at least a rental from casual gamers. Be warned though, with its sprawling story, if you get hooked on this game be prepared to play it for a while – it’s a long title that will definitely make you feel like you got your money’s worth.

If Nintendo gives us more of this fun, we won't have to shake our heads in disappointment every time the word connectivity is mentioned in a sentence.

May be just a little too easy, but it's one of the best comic stories ever put into a game, and would be worthy of a feature film treatment.

"Picross" is an elegant, alluring option that will keep you coming back for more.

Just saying the word 'strategy' may turn off some gamers who aren't typically into that genre, but even if you're not, at least give a shot. We have a feeling many people will be pleasantly surprised.

One of the most epic games you’ll play, and dare I say (oh the fanboys will kill me) it’s better than even the "Final Fantasy" games of late. Here’s looking to number four.

The graphics, while suffering a slight sacrifice in the parallax shading, are nevertheless incredible for the GBA.

The game’s tone may have changed drastically from Sands of Time but we personally still love everything it has to offer -- Definite recommendation.

If you like Star Wars you won't be disappointed.

This here game is a-brimmin' with more gunslingin', hoss-ridin', outlaw-shootin' goodness than you could fit in a stagecoach's worth of 10-gallon hats. It's rootin' AND tootin'.

The "big reveal" takes awhile, and because it takes some time to finally happen you'll be fearing virtually everything that goes bump in the night.

The “big reveal” takes awhile, and because it takes some time to finally happen you’ll be fearing virtually everything that goes bump in the night.

The game’s tone may have changed drastically from "Sands of Time" but we personally still love everything it has to offer.

What is surprising is that this game is essentially a perfect hand-held redux of the console version of Tony Hawk's Underground 2, as opposed to being some stripped-down, 2-D reinterpretation.

To say that King Kong looks good is an understatement. It's gorgeous. Even on the technologically dated PS2, the imagery is truly beautiful and there are times during the game that you will just stop and look around at the scenery, enhanced yet again by the lack of any menus to distract you.

Blasting baddies with the Stranger's arsenal of freaky little critters is fun, but I kind of preferred Abe's sneaky, cerebral approach to problem-solving. Boombats or no Boombats... Anyway, it's really good.

It has slick visuals and a more-than-memorable soundtrack. It’s too bad the whole dual-player thing wasn’t played up a bit more but it’s still an enjoyable title that’s worth a buy.

The graphics are some of the best offered in the first run of games, and it’s just plain fun. The only mark against it is the pitiful AI that doesn’t seem to notice you at all if you’re good enough with the nitrous and that power-slide.

It should be no surprise that such an original title was conceived by Kojima, the talented peeps who brought us the Metal Gear Solid series.

A great addition to one of the best RTS style games currently out there, and if you never got into the original, now would be the time to pick it up with the expansion – you won’t be disappointed.

An alright game when you play it against one friend, but it gets real fun as a title when you play it with three other friends.

The game sure looks fantastic but is it fun to play? Without a doubt, although it could do with some fine-tuning here and there.

But it’s also immensely fun and satisfying to blow yourself and numerous other things on the screen up "real good", over and over again. Visually, Every Extend Extra (got to love those Engrish translations) is gorgeous, mesmerizing and quite varied.

This is the best game I've seen Activision put out in a while.

By and large the shooting sections are fun and the enemy AI keeps things interesting by actually trying to flank you.

Just like a Lynch movie, debate over the merits and meaning of Killer7 will no doubt rage for months to come, if not years. But just as some dismiss surrealism as trivial waffle, others will find great delight and much scope within the fixed parameters of what is presented here.

Simply put, if you are a Dragon Ball Z fan, or know someone who is, get this game. It’s the title they’ve been waiting for, for 10 plus years now.

The presentation in MGS: The Twin Snakes is very good because it combines great direction with great graphics, and impressive sound.

While naysayers can decry the repetition, the strength of the handheld series continues to be that nobody will whip through the games in few weeks. Diamond’ or ‘Pearl’ are worthwhile investments because they represent months and months of gameplay.

As generic a third-person shooter as you're likely to find, with its novel gimmicks countered by some truly irritating shortcomings.

If you are the type of person to get easily flustered, stay away from the Metal Slug Anthology because it will eat you and your entire family for breakfast and pass you all by lunch.

A challenging level of difficulty plus next-to-useless instructions makes Def Jam: Fight For NY harder than it needs to be. But once you master your skills (and overlook the camera problems), it's one of the most viscerally fun brawlers in ages.

Much of what was supposed to make Fable innovative was ultimately cut out, but what's left still looks incredible and is amazingly fun to play.

It's safe to say you've never played anything quite like this one. Easily one of the coolest, weirdest and most original games of the year.

Offers everything you need to get your mutant mayhem on – minus the blue and yellow tights. You’ll have to get those on your own.

Vibrant and charming, Viva Pinata is family friendly fun that engages a child's imagination with its ever evolving gameplay. The more kids play, the more they will be drawn into Viva’s virtual world. Parents be warned though. Keep those ear plugs handy. The migraine-inducing theme song is enough to have you reaching for that bottle of Tequila.

With a ridiculous amount of replay value in the single player version, and the always dependable multiplayer fun Nintendo delivers with their Mascot titles, I can easily recommend this game as a purchase.

There's enough originality and heart-pounding action to warrant a look by any fan of retro action gaming.

While naysayers can decry the repetition, the strength of the handheld series continues to be that nobody will whip through the games in few weeks. Diamond’ or ‘Pearl’ are worthwhile investments because they represent months and months of gameplay.

Excellent storyline, fantastic game play and next generation graphics, its well worth the price of admission.

A great achievement for the DS that should be worth the wait for fans of the series and those dying for a fully-fleshed out FPS with online capabilities on the dual screen system.

Overall, the simplicity of Donkey Konga, combined with enough challenge (if you want it) later on makes this a really fun game to play, and it really works well with a large group of people.

MLB '07 still reigns as the premiere baseball title it is just that there aren't enough perks this time around to warrant trading up.

The most challenging levels though are the ones that get all Splinter Cell-ish on you. Even though you don't don Sam Fisher's trademark goggles, the gameplay is similar.

A challenging level of difficulty plus next-to-useless instructions makes Def Jam: Fight For NY harder than it needs to be. But once you master your skills (and overlook the camera problems), it's one of the most viscerally fun brawlers in ages.

But even without taking the game online, the solo, co-op and head-to-head multiplayer modes are enough to satisfy even the most diehard fans of Sweet Tooth and his crew. For this one, at least, technology trumps originality. Hands down.

While the graphics are undeniably great (especially after blasting demons and zombies into a bloody pulp) in Doom 3, it's the smart use of suspense and the creepy soundtrack -- including moans, groans and frantic cries for help --which make the presentation downright terrifying.

Just simply charming. After playing all those solemn first person shooters on the market, it is a nice change of pace to find a game that doesn't take itself or life so seriously.

The driving (and flying) sequences keep the game fresh, with cars that are an absolute dream to drive.

Black Arrow is also the first game to fully implement the Xbox Live 3.0 features, including the ability to recruit squads, schedule tournaments and leave profanity-laced voice messages for Flat Eric. Cool beans.

As generic a third-person shooter as you're likely to find, with its novel gimmicks countered by some truly irritating shortcomings.

With the improved graphics, increased card selection and better mission design, Acid 2 stands well above what was already a unique and fantastic PSP experience.

While the visuals are second to none, the game ultimately doesn't bring anything new or notable to the first-person shooter formula.

The creators of Alien Hominid tout their independence in an era of corporate consolidation in the video game industry. Fortunately, there's enough originality and heart-pounding action to warrant a look by any fan of retro action gaming.

With a concept as timeless (and downright fun) as the one that the Mario Bros. games adhere to, it would be tough to screw this game up. And Nintendo didn't ... not by a longshot.

A truly fantastic experience that is so much more than just a mindless shoot-em-up "GTA" clone. The developers almost force you to think outside the box and not spend an hour running over hookers and throwing molotov cocktails into a crowd on the beach (as fun as those things are).

One of the most grandiose, atmospheric, movie-like experiences in a video game ever. This is a standout on all the home consoles, but it hits even bigger heights if you snag it on the Xbox 360 along with a high-definition television.

The Call of Duty franchise proves that it's not all about mindlessly shooting wave after wave of enemies and moving onto the next section. You have to plan out attacks and take your time. When friends die on the battlefield, you'll actual react to it.

If you play Rogue Galaxy in a straight-line you can beat it in the average-RPG time of about 50 hours. Should you take your time and see everything it has to offer, however, you’re looking at a good 100 hours of gameplay.

What makes the Mega Man Anniversary Collection such a fine example of retro-gaming is the care that went into bringing it to the next-gen systems.

A blast for Star Wars aficionados and a solid experience for regular gamers, but it should be considered something of a work in progress, and future patches can do much to alleviate its short comings.

If Lucasarts can tame its networking quirks, deepen the map selection, and iron out a few of its weapons and class wrinkles, Battlefront stands the chance of being the most addictive online game since "Counterstrike."

If Lucasarts can tame its networking quirks, deepen the map selection, and iron out a few of its weapons and class wrinkles, Battlefront stands the chance of being the most addictive online game since "Counterstrike."

The feel of the game is almost exactly what you'd get at the arcade, without the sense of loss over all the money you're spending. The game is fast, exciting and fun – but one of the best parts about racing games is going at it with your friends and a good multiplayer mode is what this racer is sorely lacking.

Complete with amazing graphics and sound, violently focused gameplay and a love of all things explosive, it offers a thrilling experience for first person shooter fans and even just those with a bent for action.

Sometimes frustrating, but relentlessly entertaining, Death Jr.2: RoE marks a successful return for the franchise.

As with most DS games, the WiFi connection works seamlessly, with none of the glitches or slowdowns typically found on online console games.

Intense action and great production values can't quite elevate this tactical shooter that's heavy on the shooting but light on tactics.

While nothing about this is extremely challenging on one of the easier skill levels, trying to beat your high score and making some awesome combos while playing a seasoned human player or computer player on difficult is what will separate the newbies from the true pros.

Simplicity can be a very, very good thing.

Don't get me wrong; it's nice when the PSP gets a little star-power, but what could have been a full-fledged performance feels more like a cameo. Nevertheless, R&C:SM's mix of platforming action, entertaining cast and an abundance of mini-games makes it an honorable addition to the series.

With its tight controls and diverse and rewarding levels, beautiful and engaging graphics, and its humorous story, Frogger: Helmet Chaos is sure to be a hit with audiences both new and old alike.

Victim of being a follow up to one of the best adventure titles ever made, but don’t let that stop of you from enjoying a game that is still above most of what’s available in this genre. If I enjoyed this game at all, there’s NO WAY you won’t.

While it's not a game so much as a pet simulator that you fiddle with for a few minutes every day, Nintendogs is ridiculously charming and cute. And virtual dog poop is a lot easier to clean up than the real stuff.

The system works rather well, although it has its quirks. For example, Bond has to be looking toward an enemy for the system to recognize the bad guy.

Soldiers brings something new to both well-worn genres, and only its unforgiving difficulty keeps it from being a complete standout.

Hardcore connoisseur gamers need to stay the hell away from this game. WarioWare Touched will appeal to the young’ens, Women, and casual gamers.

The look of the game is phenomenal. With menu screens that seem like they've stolen from both the images and slogans from Second World War propaganda posters and the appropriate heroic music playing in the background, you feel you've stepped into a navy training film.

When it’s all said and done Rise of Legends is a solid RTS. The single player skirmishes with the computer are much better than playing the campaign and the multiplayer option is an absolute blast.

There is an assortment of plot twists too that provide surprise after surprise as you continue forth. If nothing else, X-Men Legends 2 is a well-crafted and executed storyline that gets progressively intriguing the more time you spend playing it.

Don’t be put off by this oddball mixture of a casual puzzle game and a fantasy role-playing adventure. Puzzle Quest is stellar as both, and amazingly addictive.

If you’re looking for something new and fresh, Hotel Dusk fits the bill and then some. It has superb graphics featuring hand-drawn characters, a great storyline and very interesting characters that constantly had me wanting to find the next conversation to see what would happen next.

This faithful port - no pun intended - of the seafaring PC game shines just as brightly on the big black box. Beware the siren call of its addictiveness, though.

A brawler with a deep storyline, based on a cult classic from the '70s? You heard right, suckers. The Warriors is hands down one of the coolest action games of the year.

Those who consider themselves puzzle game connoisseurs or armchair detectives will have their skills severely tested and unlike the finale of "Missing: Since January", the conclusion is worth all the time and effort.

Where the visuals come as a mixed bad, the sound is completely top notch all the way.

Mix a basic but solid game of baseball with the usual hallucinogenic properties of Mario's special toadstools and you get this fun and frothy confection.

It’s not often I say this, the hardcore audience may be vocal with the problems, but it won’t stop TRON 2.0 from selling millions.

Blending classic platform game elements with a humourous storyline and a cool dimension-flipping gimmick makes this one of the most satisfying Mario games in years.

This is pure, unadulterated four-wheeled destruction on an epic scale, and I haven't had this much fun playing a racing game in ages.