No other game has ever lived up to six years of hype and then left gamers so glued to their PCs that 24 hours later.

And undoubtedly the greatest feature is that which made the hanging light sway. Yes, everything in-game is based on what is perhaps the best physics ever seen in a game.

Graphically brilliant, expertly designed and capped off with multiplayer, it takes its genre to all new heights of realism.

The speed of the game is incredible and as the roads and lights blur past you, it feels more like you're flying in the Millennium Falcon than some street machine dodging through traffic.

Graphically brilliant, expertly designed and capped off with multiplayer, it takes its genre to all new heights of realism.

The speed of the game is incredible and as the roads and lights blur past you, it feels more like you're flying in the Millennium Falcon than some street machine dodging through traffic.

The graphics in UT2004 have a semi-surreal sort of edge, for which the term “eye-candy” is undoubtedly the most appropriate.

It's as distant from real-world war scenarios as you can get, but as far as high intensity, high speed Sci-Fi shooters go, Vengeance now reigns supreme.

It is fast-paced, claustrophobic and genuinely scary.

Exceptional level design and whet with atmosphere this will elate series faithful and deserves to attract all fans of stealth-based gaming.

Melbourne House have almost achieved the impossible - they’ve not only made one of the best action games on the PS2, but they’ve made a cool Transformers game that’ll take pride in any fan’s collection.

A great technical achievement in terms of RTS design evolution.

Everything "NFSU" was and more. Racing is now more realistic and the freedom to cruise the city and choose your events is an awesome improvement.

Everything "NFSU" was and more. Racing is now more realistic and the freedom to cruise the city and choose your events is an awesome improvement.

The story and action will keep you enthralled to its very end. Improvements in the level design and camera control could have shot this title into a stratosphere all of its own, but for Xbox owner's fleet of foot and quick of blade, this is essential gaming.

The Xbox version is not a port, it was developed alongside the PC title and while the graphics and sound aren't quite as solid, it is still a remarkable gaming experience.

Everything "NFSU" was and more. Racing is now more realistic and the freedom to cruise the city and choose your events is an awesome improvement.

Perhaps it could've built on a few features found in V8 Supercars 2 to make it a more complete package, but it still makes great strides for the genre with smart gameplay ideas, great graphics and pitch-perfect car physics ensuring countless hours of enjoyment for genre fans.

Not quite up to the Xbox and PC standard, but the gameplay is still insanely enjoyable.

For many, HC will be a disappointment, but its inventive storyline and intricate level design will entertain lounge-room assassins.

For many, HC will be a disappointment, but its inventive storyline and intricate level design will entertain lounge-room assassins.

The level design is also quite cool and somewhat akin to how Final Fight would be if released today.

And don't listen to talk about the games hidden agenda. Who cares if its pro American, this is gaming, not art-house political cinema, we're here to kick ass and chew bubble gum, and we had a hell of a lot of fun doing it!

This is brilliant escapism. It's adventure platforming at its most hospitable and Sly 2 has the charm, wit and quality to transcend all demographics.

It wins out on style, showcasing some of the very best storytelling in gaming, a likable hero and compelling gameplay in an atmosphere and tone that sits comfortably with its Gen-X audience.

Clearly the best rugby title every made and a vast improvement on what was seen in the series' two previous outings. Sure there are still some frustrations and plenty of room for growth, but Rugby 2005 stands as a worthy virtual alternative to the stud-happy reality.

And don't listen to talk about the games hidden agenda. Who cares if its pro American, this is gaming, not art-house political cinema, we're here to kick ass and chew bubble gum, and we had a hell of a lot of fun doing it!

For many, HC will be a disappointment, but its inventive storyline and intricate level design will entertain lounge-room assassins.

Clearly the best rugby title every made and a vast improvement on what was seen in the series' two previous outings. Sure there are still some frustrations and plenty of room for growth, but Rugby 2005 stands as a worthy virtual alternative to the stud-happy reality.

Painkiller gives us both something ancient and something fresh and off the cuff. It’s bold in its approach and defiantly steps away from trends.

The game will reward you the more you play, and the more you play, the more you'll learn how to humiliate your hapless opponent.

A thoroughly enjoyable experience that excels in converting its gimmick into quality gaming.

A solid RPG that doesn't take itself too seriously, but is still seriously entertaining.

A worthy title in the Medal of Honour series and probably the best representation of that campaign so far, but it can't quite beat "Call of Duty: United Offensive."

Yes, Colin is king, but when your only real competition turns out to be your previous release, it affects the effort and growth of the series - this is not the next evolutionary step fans had been hanging for.

Has everything (and a bit more) that made last year's game such a huge hit. A must for all wrestling junkies.

Though the renown system is the game's main innovation, combat definitely holds up its half of the sky.

A thoroughly enjoyable experience that excels in converting its gimmick into quality gaming.

A solid RPG that doesn't take itself too seriously, but is still seriously entertaining.

Yes, Colin is king, but when your only real competition turns out to be your previous release, it affects the effort and growth of the series - this is not the next evolutionary step fans had been hanging for.

Easily the best wrestling game to grace a GameCube, the visuals are nice, the animations are slick, there's little to no clipping (amazing!), and it has enough depth for even the hardest core wrestling nut.

While Pitfall is souped up on Charm it is low on challenge. Experienced gamers will revel in nostalgia, but it will be a short journey.

Seasoned gamers will rarely have to attempt anything in Alias twice, yet the game still has quite a satisfying length to it.

Another RPG game that dives straight into action territory, yet without sacrificing all of the depth. It is undeniably entertaining and well presented.

Riddled with annoying little bugs (such as the worst collision detection, ever), it provides an above average FPS war experience, but never echoes the ‘wow’ factor of the original.

A solid game that is a dream for animal lovers and younger players. It is well laid out and well-presented. It just isn't challenging enough for older gamers.

The majority of new gameplay features do positively elaborate on the core THUG experience, but there is an alarming lack of effort in their refinement.

The majority of new gameplay features do positively elaborate on the core THUG experience, but there is an alarming lack of effort in their refinement.

It may be a little lacking in depth for the real skippers, but for everyone else into sailing, there's some fun to be had. Probably.

Seasoned gamers will rarely have to attempt anything in Alias twice, yet the game still has quite a satisfying length to it.

While Pitfall is souped up on Charm it is low on challenge. Experienced gamers will revel in nostalgia, but it will be a short journey.

Another RPG game that dives straight into action territory, yet without sacrificing all of the depth. It is undeniably entertaining and well presented.

Part of a very stable genre, Rivals has no glaring flaws. It's only what other titles have in additional teams, game modes and animations that might be the difference.

Some quality level design, great new multiplayer options and an improved AI, all supplementing the same excellent Rainbow core.

The majority of new gameplay features do positively elaborate on the core THUG experience, but there is an alarming lack of effort in their refinement.

Mario Golf mightn't be as deep as the likes of Links and Tiger, but will keep you smiling.

While Pitfall is souped up on Charm it is low on challenge. Experienced gamers will revel in nostalgia, but it will be a short journey.

The majority of new gameplay features do positively elaborate on the core THUG experience, but there is an alarming lack of effort in their refinement.

Inspired Beat 'em Up action with some quality stealth mixed in to boot, just a shame that it lacks the polish to extrapolate its full potential.

Great fun for our gaming youth and a humorous piece of nostalgia for veterans keen to spank their bandicoots, one last time.

Perhaps if "Burnout 3" didn't exist, Crash 'n' Burn might have had a better chance. However, this is still an immensely enjoyable game for all destruction fans out there.

If it wasn't for the recycled ideas plucked straight from a Japanese RPG back catalogue, along with some very poorly written NPC interactions and weak storytelling, Sudeki could have been a much more impressive and memorable action/RPG.

Great fun for our gaming youth and a humorous piece of nostalgia for veterans keen to spank their bandicoots, one last time.

Perhaps if "Burnout 3" didn't exist, Crash 'n' Burn might have had a better chance. However, this is still an immensely enjoyable game for all destruction fans out there.

On the bright side, multiplayer has been designed to not require the fastest connection for smooth play, even on overseas servers. The cars handle quite well, the graphics are nice, and the physics seem good.

The level objectives, while varied and challenging are sadly a linear affair, inevitably leading you through the game by a leash. Though, with the recovery of each Talsiman, new powers are progressively unlocked such as increased strength, speed, jumping, and astral travel.

After creating such large cities, Reflections have failed to use this potential offering no incentive to utilise the surrounds. With no hidden extras or surprises Driver 3 is strictly what you see is what you get.

AOE proudly champions these genre cliches, but in doing so, buries the old-school for good.

Euro 2004 is equal at best to the standard set by big brother "FIFA 2004," but does not surpass it, thus offering no lure to gamers who already own that title. Also, the gameplay is plagued by the very bugs that kept FIFA beneath "Pro Evolution’s" shadow at Christmas.

Euro 2004 is equal at best to the standard set by big brother "FIFA 2004," but does not surpass it, thus offering no lure to gamers who already own that title. Also, the gameplay is plagued by the very bugs that kept FIFA beneath "Pro Evolution’s" shadow at Christmas.

It looses out to "Psi-Ops" in the battle for 2004's greatest psychokinesis-3rd-person-action-adventure in a big way, taking a solid idea and inventive story-telling then butchering it with wayward controls, lame combat and weak as piss gameplay.

Despite its flaws, OutRun 2 is the epitome of arcade racing. The controls are ridiculously simple, there's absolutely no attention paid to car or player damage, and there's no story mode or specific goal.

Euro 2004 is equal at best to the standard set by big brother "FIFA 2004," but does not surpass it, thus offering no lure to gamers who already own that title. Also, the gameplay is plagued by the very bugs that kept FIFA beneath "Pro Evolution’s" shadow at Christmas.

It looses out to "Psi-Ops" in the battle for 2004's greatest psychokinesis-3rd-person-action-adventure in a big way, taking a solid idea and inventive story-telling then butchering it with wayward controls, lame combat and weak as piss gameplay.

After creating such large cities,Reflections have failed to use this potential offering no incentive to utilise the surrounds. With no hidden extras or surprises Driver 3 is strictly what you see is what you get.