Rise To Honour (Sony) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Let down by a few poor set-pieces and a ropey plot but brilliant whenever the fighting kicks off. Just like most of Jet's films, in fact.

R-Type Final (Irem) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

This game is a difficult one to score. It's so beautiful it makes us cry.

Forbidden Siren (Sony) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Unique, ambitious, genuinely scary and brilliantly executed, this is as good as psychological horror gets. It's very, very hard though.

Mafia (Gathering) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

An entertaining mix of shooting and driving set against a great cinematic backdrop. Not exactly the Don, but definitely a made man.

Spyhunter 2 (Midway) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Spyhunter 2 takes a decent fusion of shootin' and drivin' but trips up with lacklustre production values. It's okay, but we prefer the original.

Hyper Street Fighter 2: 15th Anniverary Edition (Capcom) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Essential if you're a fanboy and have mates as obsessed as you, but insanely hard for newbies and the 2D styling will confuse some.

Nightshade (Sega) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Nightshade has some decent ideas but there's nothing here that improves on Shinobi's mix of basic gameplay and flowing scarf.

Sonic Heroes (Sega) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

A turbo-charged gem that refuses to go down the fashionable 'platform adventure' avenue, in favour of slick old-skool thrills.

Sphinx And The Cursed Mummy (THQ) (PlayStation 2 (US Version))

A thoughtful if unremarkable adventure with a few decent ideas. We like the setting, we like the puzzles but it's all very average.

Cricket 2004 (Electronic Arts) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Just about everything a gamer who loves cricket could wish for. It's highly addictive, vast in scope and superbly executed.

Spawn: Armageddon (namco) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

While competent enough, Spawn: Armageddon is an uninspired Devil May Cry clone. Stick with Dante's original outing, just £20 on Platinum.

The Haunted Mansion (TDK) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Very short but brilliant and absorbing while it lasts. The low price makes this a respectable slice of platform goodness.

KYA: Dark Lineage (Atarisoft) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Not a groundbreaker, but Kya has enough originality and playability to make it stand out in an increasingly crowded genre.

Whiplash (Eidos) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

The funniest game since Futurama - but monkey facials and blazing bunnies still can't bring this up to the level of Jak and Ratchet And Clank.

Wrath Unleashed (Lucasarts) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

You have to wonder why LucasArts bothered. This is a dull franchise that has less chance of taking off than Concorde.

Dragon's Lair 3D: Special Edition (THQ) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

A best-forgotten franchise pointlessly resurrected with little style and some irritating control issues. In a word: poor.

Puyo Pop Fever (Sega) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Quite possibly the second best puzzle game of all time - after Tetris - and one which cannot fail to put a smile on your face.

R:Racing Evolution (namco) (PlayStation 2 (US Version))

Falls firmly between arcade and sim stools and aces neither category. Sadly, Ridge Racer is no longer the race leader of old.

Urban Freestyle Soccer (Acclaim) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

A decent stab at four-a-side football with tongue firmly in cheek, but no lasting appeal for serious fans of videogame 'soccer'.

MegaMan X7 (Capcom) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Fine for an afternoon's jumpy fun. But compared to the scope and scale of PS2's best platformers, it looks practically medieval.

Goblin Commander: Unleash The Horde (Jaleco) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

A fresh task on an established genre which really makes it work for PS2. There's a lack of vibrancy but enough fun to warrant a look.

Fightbox (BBC Multimedia) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

A truly terrible game can be enlightening, making us realise how good we've got it most of the time. That said, this is total toss.

Rollercoaster World (Midas) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Minuscule pleasure for a while but basically everything a theme park shouldn't be.

A-Train 6 (Midas) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

The ultimate anorak's sandbox and engaging to anyone after a slow-paced experience.

The Seed: Warzone (Midas) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Competent yet uninspiring effort that's never been within a mile of fun.

Detonator (Midas) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Far from terrible puzzler, but not close enough to a good one to warrant attention.