There's nothing radically new here, but it's got the best variety of missions and the best storyline of any of the Hitman titles.

Again, like 'Resident Evil', 'Monster House' is not all about eviscerating hair-raising beasties. There are puzzles throughout the levels too but most are of the find-and-place-an-object-here or push-this-crate-there variety.

Unfortunately, the music and sound effects are just plain irritating and obnoxious, with tunes that might appeal to 7-year olds.

The darker and more serious tone won't appeal to everyone, but beneath it is the same great strategy game experience that's made the venerable Advance Wars series such a gem.

A welcome new twist on the stale survival-horror genre, the Suffering's disturbing unreality makes the prison in "Oz" look like summer camp.

This really is only for a defined group of hardcore football fans, but those fans won’t find anything close to this anywhere else.

Though it's definitely the low-carb, low-cal version of a traditional role-playing game, Dark Alliance II is a stellar sequel to a great title.

It’s the little fun touches that end up elevating The Bigs from being just another yearly baseball installment.

Its easy controls, addictively simple game play and variety of game modes are likely to appeal to all but the hard-core soccer enthusiast.

One of the things which sets Black and White 2 apart from its predecessor is the combat system.

It's not as brain-blowingly next-gen as some gamers might be hoping, but Perfect Dark Zero is still a solid and slick shooter that deserves to be enjoyed online.

The game is challenging as all heck and you’ll sometimes wonder how you would ever get out of a predicament with a million enemies coming at you all at once in every direction without a super bomb, but it keeps you coming back for more, no doubt. Top notch in every way.

A lot deeper and a lot tougher than it seems at first glance, Dead Rising is an old-school game posing as next-gen zombie slayathon. It can be frustrating as hell, but like the swarms of undead who don't know any better, you'll keep coming back for more.

If you enjoy the gunplay aspects of the GTA-style genre more than the driving and open city concept, then The Godfather is likely to be a highlight of the year for you.

The keyword here is variety. If you like to try many different things and fight many different ways, then Jak 3 is the game for you.

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.

It won't replace Grand Theft Auto in your carjacking, hooker-beating heart, but Saints Row is a surprisingly good clone, and it even manages to do a few things better than the games from which it shamelessly borrows.

With each level presenting it own unique challenges to overcome, what you have with 'Mario Versus Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis' is not only one of the longest game titles of the year but an accessible and thoroughly addicting puzzle game for thinking gamers of all ages.

Though it's definitely the low-carb, low-cal version of a traditional role-playing game, Dark Alliance II is a stellar sequel to a great title.

A riveting game that you can't refuse.

The game has a great feel to it simply because it's packaged together so nicely with sound, graphics, and gameplay. Where you may encounter problems is if you've already played the original, because this sequel certainly does not live up the lofty height of its predecessor.

The career mode is enhanced, giving gamers the ability to not only design their boxer down to the size of his nose and colour of his shoes, but take their virtual pugilist through a training regimen while choosing their bouts with higher-ranked opponents.

If you like a challenging preconstructed scenario, some with historical overtones to them, you will find this expansion pack a great addition to a great game.

The first full-fledged expansion for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion takes you on a trip to a skewed and psychotic Oz, full of odd people, new magic and killer creatures. And chances are you’ll love it there.

The Mortal Kombat transition from fighting game to action-adventure experience is handled exceptionally well in Shaolin Monks. As Scorpion would say, "Get over here!"

As good as it was, the PSP’s UEFA has everything FIFA has and with the new Treble mode, way more fun in variety.

A highly addictive simulation that should please good and bad golfers alike.

Undeniably the best-looking PSP release since "Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror". The floating spectral faces, the tidal wave of blood, the massive beast masquerading as a temple are just some of the early "wow moments" that show off the technology that is packed into the PSP device.