When you can finally crack a song that initially seemed far beyond your skill level, and not just play it but perform it - arched back, windmilling arms, grins and grimaces and devil-horn salutes - it transcends a mere video game. It’s interactive entertainment taken to an entirely new level.

The single-player campaign is shorter than other games of its kind — I stomped through it in about 8 hours. But it was so action-packed, I didn’t feel cheated at all.

The game is so consistently fresh, it's desperately hard to stop playing.

At the end of the day, however, you just can't beat the value being offered here and though it's not perfect, the sum of "The Orange Box" is greater than its parts.

Jade Empire is THE Role Playing Game to own on the Xbox, the best game on the Xbox period, and probably one of the best games released in the last 5 years. Are you sufficiently hyped yet?

Simply put, BioShock is a must for anyone who’s over 17 and has a 360. So far, this is the best game of 2007.

Rarely do games with this much fanfare actually live up to their talked-about potential, but Gears does something that almost none do - it exceeds the hype. It looks almost unbearably gorgeous, it sounds out of this world, it plays as smooth as butter but most of all - it's fun. Pure, unadulterated, blood-spattered fun.

Another technological feat which just adds to the frightening experience of RE 4 is the lack of load times. You won't be catching your breath waiting on a load screen. The action and suspense will be with you at all times.

It’s a huge game with an enthralling storyline and a huge mix of different gameplay elements that will keep players from ever being bored.

This could very well be remembered as the PlayStation 2's best game ever.

It’s a huge, solid package all wrapped up in a slick presentation with enough added features to make it a big step ahead of "2K6."

The great thing about Splinter Cell Chaos Theory is that it's just getting warmed up once you finish playing all by your lonesome. The Multiplayer aspect of it will easily quadruple your time with the game.

Is it possible for an expansion disc to qualify as contender for Game of the Year?

It's so realistic it makes me want to drivearound my block blasting the horn til' midnight.

Contrary to popular belief, Revenge is a dish best served hot. It's the best Burnout game ever.

The depth of what appears to be an initially incredible simple and one dimensional game is astounding as always with Mario Kart DS, and the delivered promise of online opponents only adds to the overall incredibly rewarding experience.

The game play is fantastic, intuitive and engaging with the best graphics I have ever been witness to in a PC shooter. If you love first-person shooters and are jonesing for something to play on your shiny new rig, this is the game for you.

While the story is an improvement on the first, the fact that the sequel is so much better means the story should have been great too.

A sprawling fantasy masterpiece that needs to be experienced to be appreciated.

It has a great mix of tactics and action, it has a cinematic, engaging campaign mode, and plenty of multiplayer fun to keep everyone on Xbox Live happy for a long time.

Whether you're starting a new franchise from scratch or simply playing a game of Dodge-the-Barrels, NHL 2K6 is a stunning addition to the world of sports games.

Best looking, best sounding, best playing fighting game on the PlayStation 2. Excusing the fact there’s no online functionality, if fighting is your genre of choice this is your game of choice.

A thoroughly engaging racing game with high production value and an extensive amount of replay. From the multiple game modes, to the extensive customization options to finally the numerous online options, there is an incredible amount of game to enjoy.

A gaming masterpiece that combines groundbreaking technology, atmosphere and all-out action. It's the closest you'll get to starring in your own sci-fi flick.

Even without the car crashes, Burnout 3: Takedown would have been a superb arcade-style racing game. But the incredible vehicular carnage makes it a thing of profound destructive beauty.

This is the most well-rounded DDR version yet and with Xbox Live downloadable content coming in the future, its appeal will last even longer.

The music will put you in the mood to hit that hole-in-one, and a taunting system that's customizable will be sure to annoy the heck out of your friends when you play multiplayer.

While the new look can be a little daunting to a guy who just wants to play a few seasons, it is definitely the most sophisticated simulation ever developed for a console.