Pretty to watch, but a real bore to play, and when it's not boring, it's frustrating. Not a good mix.

Both movie fans and general gamers should get a few hours of fun out of it, and frustration is kept at a minimum -- preventing you from becoming an irate pirate.

This isn't a game of depth. This is quick football satisfaction and little else. Against a few friends over the weekend, Arena Football is an excellent diversion, but it won't replace "Madden" or even "NFL 2K5" until the weather turns cold again.

If the difficultly was a bit more consistent and mission parameters more forgiving, then Battlestar Galactica could have been a massive hit. As-is, the game is sure to please fans of the license, but those looking for something deeper will likely be disappointed.

While the game's is an improvement over the 2004 edition, it's still not quite up to snuff.

It's a fun diversion with big, bold graphics, but somewhat repetitive and predictable gameplay.

While the control system is straightforward to pick up, it can also be ultimately frustrating - in fact, annoying enough to take a sparkle off the otherwise solid and enjoyable gameplay.

While the game's nod to realism (and somewhat stiff control) are less friendly to racing gamers overall, car-caressers will find much to amuse themselves.

Need For Speed’s solid driving and fantastic graphics are worth experiencing, but I wanted more darkness, more danger out of this game. I wanted consequences. Without it, we get an odd Need For Speed that presents a strangely empty, Disney-fied version of an “underworld” — one with guardrails on the sides of the road.

Whiplash's style takes it a long way; hell, any title with the power to make PETA smile and fume at the same time has got something going.

Doesn't stray terribly far from the formula, to both its credit and detriment.

Fans should be pleased enough with the game, but if you're not so familiar with the characters and mechanics, it'll be poor value for money.

A game that won't appeal to everyone; Calintz's girly ways alone may turn off a lot of people. However, if you're looking for an RPG with a great battle system, you'll definitely be a fan of Magna Carta: Tears of Blood.

Rarely does an expansion (or companion, in the case of the PS2 and GameCube) see content integrated so well into an existing game. After a few minutes playing Pets, you'll feel as if the animals have always been a part of your gaming life.

Seems to split its aim between hardcore "Matrix" fans and experienced gamers; if you find yourself with a foot in both camps, you may well find this one of the most faithful movie-to-game experiences in recent memory.

The game succeeds in terms of both story and combat quality, and even adds in some cool online functionality with battles and jewel trading. RPG enthusiasts will want to capture this game as soon as they can.

A fun time, in spite (or because) of its ludicrous story and cutscenes, which you won't find in any other serious racer.

Even if you do have a shiny new PSP to play with, you're better off picking up a copy of the original Ape Escape for the PlayStation. It'll control better, and be less than half the price.

Neither as disposed toward realism as the Namco "Ace Combat" series nor quite as "on the arcade-stick" as Sammy Studios' "Lethal Skies," AirForce Delta Strike is a basically solid, good-looking, and engaging campaign, albeit a repetitive, hitchy one.

While not offering anything special, it has the advantage of running on a low spec PC, and does not require the CD to be present while playing, thus making it ideal for laptop wargaming.

What makes Tomb Raider: The Prophecy so dreary is the level design.

With such awesome visuals, it's hard to comprehend why the clipping problems are so horrendous.

Younger players out there will get a kick out of the solid controls and bright environments, while more advanced players can appreciate the challenge and depth of the included boost system.

Neo Contra isn't as true to the original games as fans might wish, but nevertheless, it's a good attempt at recapturing the original's magic and a respectable action game in its own right.

It's an uneven mix of the flashy, the goofy, the hectic, and the insipid -- that pretty much sums up the Custom Robo experience.

While the campaign mode doesn't offer as much arcade action and the new strategic additions actually lessen the overall space combat feel, there's still plenty here for Trek fans and non-Trekkies alike.

It plays conservatively and never hits the jackpot.

If you like the humour in the Farrelly films or if you're partial to "Tom and Jerry" cartoons you will love Stupid Invaders.