A one-button action/adventure dress-up simulator.

Once you're past the technical hurdles (and the brutal realization of just how easy it is to die in a swordfight or sea battle), Pirates of the Caribbean is an absolutely beautiful looking, freeform RPG adventure. But it is really suited for experienced, patient gamers rather than casual ones.

It's just unfortunate that technical problems and repetitive audio samples cause annoyance throughout.

The chief offence is the total lack of any tutorial modes to help flesh out the numerous nuances of the game. Within your first go, the chances of you understanding anything that is happening on-screen are akin to the chances of Mike Tyson giving up boxing to become a ballerina…as disturbing a thought as that may be.

The soundtrack ranks as one of the most impressive to date. Mixing bass-thumping hip-hop grooves with epic, tension-building in-race vibes, it's well worth cranking up the volume for a fully engrossing driving experience.

Gamers who haven't exactly stuck by Sonic's blurry blue side over the years will have to work a little harder to get to the fun, spastic heart of Sonic Heroes, but those who know what to expect in terms of mechanics and sheer kinetic insanity will feel right at home.

Comparing Lord of the Rings Tactics to "Metal Gear Solid" -- another turn-based, tactical PSP title with a famous franchise attached -- this game comes out on top in almost every way.

A case of a game fell at the last fence, dropping from the potential of greatness to being average instead.

Riveting duels, killer combination moves, and buckets of blood see the cinematic adaptation effectively mimic the flick that inspired it.

It is as rough around the edges as its main character and most players will probably be put off after an initial bout of controller frustration. Those who stay with it will find an enjoyable and somewhat satisfying single-player experience, but nothing incredibly memorable.

It's one of the better wrestling games available on any platform - except for the one unfortunate flaw that it gets sort of old after only a few hours of gametime.

Extras like a free, waypoint-based track editor add charm. The same thing goes for online car-swapping features. But between a Super Nintendo-era audio-library, limp-wristed vehicular duels, and snooze-inducing stages, it's too little, too late.

Requiring only five to seven hours to finish, and having virtually no replay value, only the most dedicated fans should own Batman Begins.

The game mechanics are so badly crippled that it probably doesn't even deserve to be called a strategy game.

Lack of originality notwithstanding, gamers in search of an above average stealth action game experience with a good story and couple of minor innovations won't be disappointed with Cold War.

Splendid stage architecture, superb puzzle planning, and, yes, even the odd snide remark give it way more charm than most competitors. Despite limited replay value and slight conceptual deja vu, the title will entertain all age groups.

The DS game supports the touch screen for mini-map movement as well as weapon selection, but suffers from a lower resolution and a restricted display area. The PSP game looks much prettier, but requires more button presses to navigate.

In general Star Trek looks and sounds better than it has in recent console incarnations. The graphics are a little jagged, but the ships look great and the interface is well designed. And the sound is excellent, from the sweeping symphonic score to the spot-on weapon systems.

Gamers who liked the idea of, say, "Twisted Metal Black," but found the execution too quick and snappy to be satisfying, should check out Road Kill, a decidedly more kinetic follower.

The simple truth is that Juiced is behind the curve. The racing isn't bad, but the game places emphasis on the wrong reward system.

Has the same grandiose scale and storytelling style as previous entries, but is hampered by an overabundance of combat and a lack of inspiration.

The computer players take ages moving, and if you add more than one opponent for extra tactical depth, the problem is multiplied.

NBA Live 07 is a lot like its cover athlete, Tracy McGrady: It's capable of some stunning moves, worthy of the highlight reels, but is a little too offensive-minded and selfish. It's got a lot of skill, but doesn't do enough to get to the playoffs.

Has everything you could hope for in a DS Monkey Ball: lots of stages, great mini-games, and nice presentation. The less-than-perfect control and the over-saturation of new Monkey Ball iterations, however, make it less attractive to the gaming masses.

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.

If you're looking for a new fighting game, don't mind simplistic controls and having volumes of tedious storyline read to you by a man with about as much vocal intonation as Leonard Nimoy, this is your game.

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 D-pad tends to be a little slow and straight in responding and the joystick is a little too fast and wiggly. This can cause no end of trouble when you are trying to aim or if you or your targets are moving.