Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty (Konami) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

State-of-the-art gaming with intelligence and soul. A rare conjunction of vision, technical virtuosity and hardware. You must play this game.

Ace Combat: Distant Thunder (namco) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

An exceptionally well-presented game that fans will enjoy. Business as usual for the Ace Combat franchise.

PaRappa The Rapper 2 (Sony) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Something that'll make your PS2 a little bit less of an object, and more of a work of art.

Moto GP 2 (namco) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Fixing the problem that afflicted the original game, Moto GP 2 is a classy racer.

Police 24/7 (Konami) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

This light gun game belongs in the past. Sometimes it feels like a small step towards the future, but really it's more of a clumsy, drunken lurch.

Salt Lake 2002 (Eidos) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

We just didn't think it was morally possible to be any stingier than Track & Field with the events, but Salt Lake 2002 is a shallow, wintery Scrooge.

Centre Court: Hard Hitter (Midas) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Cheap but not particularly cheerful tennis action. Reasonable gameplay but nothing here to keep you playing for more than a day or two.

Monsters Inc. (Disney) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

A crumb of credit for daring to stray from the plot of the film, but this game falls significantly short of the high watermark left by the majestic Jak And Daxter.

Legends Of Wrestling (Acclaim) (PlayStation 2 (US Version))

While you shouldn't be put off by the baffling roster, Legends Of Wrestling is still let down by its repetitive and uninspiring gameplay, despite obvious ambitions to be something better.

Evil Twin: Cyprien's Chronicles (Ubisoft) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

If you like weird games then this one's for you. But some lacklustre animation and camera work really lets it down.

Magix Music Maker (Magix) (PlayStation 2 (US Version))

Doesn't set its sights high enough, and as a result Magix Music Maker is just average and musically oversimplistic.

Space Race (Infogrames) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Uninventive cartoon kart racer that recycles old gameplay ideas and hopes you won't notice.

Woody Woodpecker: Escape From Buzzard's Park (Cryo) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

An insipid platform adventure with neither a strong character or a whiff of originality. Why bother?

Army Men: Team Assault (3do) (PlayStation (EU Version))

A few technical issues, but enjoyable overall, and good value for money.

Goofy's Fun House (Ubisoft) (PlayStation (EU Version))

Overly simple but nicely done, and the mini-games can be cracking fun.