Red Faction (THQ) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

As a cross between Quake and MGS, Red Faction almost does the business. Explosive and epic in scale, only a little lazy design manages to mar the magnificence.

MTV Music Generator 2 (Codemasters) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

One of the most exciting and well put together releases yet. The first PS2 million seller anyone? Maybe not this early, but it damn well should be...

Fur Fighters (Acclaim) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Cute fluffy creatures armed with shotguns blasting the stuffing out of each other. It's no longer an insane dream, it's an entertaining reality.

Extermination (Sony) (PlayStation 2 (US Version))

Resi fans will adore this. Nothing spectacular, but crawling with subtle design innovations which need to be noticed. Evolution not revolution, then.

Star Wars: Super Bombad Racing (Lucasarts) (PlayStation 2 (US Version))

Fun, until you realise the CPU opposition has an unfair advantage, while derivative gameplay doesn't help either. The Force is weak in this one.

Rugby (Electronic Arts) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

More akin to Madden than FIFA in terms of approach, Rugby is, for the most part, a highly successful and immensely enjoyable take on sport.

Rumble Racing (Electronic Arts) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Fast, furious, oodles of challenge and replay value to die for. PS2's first acrobat-racer rips along a treat in two-player too.

Heroes Of Might And Magic (3do) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

A PC style game drastically stripped down for PS2, and it shows in having only half the options and gameplay you would expect.

Jungle Book Groove Party (Disney) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Only the very young and easily pleased could possibly like this. Buy the PSone version and a copy of the film instead.

Gauntlet: Dark Legacy (Midway) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

A hollow and uneven homage to the past, let down by dated gameplay elements that outnumber innovative additions.

Army Men: Green Rogue (3do) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

An appalling game which plumbs new depths of astounding rottenness. An outrageous blasphemy to decent gaming.

Sheep, Dog 'N Wolf (Infogrames) (PlayStation (EU Version))

With lateral thinking, frequent hilarity and top notch gameplay, you'd be flocking stupid to miss it.

Formula One 2001 (Sony) (PlayStation (EU Version))

In a field growing ever more crowded with Grand Prix sims, Formula One 2001 still holds the rest of the pack at bay. An improvement in almost every way over its brilliant predecessor.

Army Men: Lock 'N Load (3do) (PlayStation (EU Version))

Life in plastic. It's fantastic. Usually. War sucks, but somehow this manages to be worse. You won't care about saving anyone. Every bit as appealing as an enormous flaming TNT sandwich.

Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear (Saffire) (PlayStation (EU Version))

Clumsier than a pair of ill-fitting jack boots, the sense of immediacy running through the first game is gone, replaced by turgid gameplay and dull as dishwater sorties. Go read the book instead.