God Of War (Sony) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

If this doesn't make Ancient Greece the new LA we'll want to know what's up. It's one of the best games you'll see this year.

Monster Hunter (Capcom) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Playing without a network connection doesn't do Monster Hunter justice. You must play online to get the full experience.

Area 51 (Midway) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Area 51 is atmospheric, fun, challenging, amusing, exciting and impressively gory by turns. Arguably the best shooter on PS2.

Dynasty Warriors 5 (Koei) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Feeling old and out of date, there's been almost zero evolution over previous games in the series. One for the most hardcore fans only.

Ghost In The Shell: Stand Alone Complex (Bandai) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

While not broken, this doesn't really bring anything new to the third-person shooter party. Deeply average, with only the occasional flash of style.

CT Special Forces: Fire For Effect (Hip Games) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

While rough around the edges and generic, Counter Terrorist Special Forces rattles along with enough pace and brainless arcade action to make it a fairly decent laugh. Worth a rental.

Championship Manager 5 (Eidos) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Championship Manager 5 lacks the flair of other 'console' management games and relies on a fairly small player database. Good then, but not that great.

Moto GP 4 (namco) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

As technically polished as ever, Moto GP 4 is now much more accessible too. Recommended, even if you're not a fan of bikes.

Predator: Concrete Jungle (Sierra) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

The Predator name is ripe with potential, but Concrete Jungle squanders it to make a completely unrewarding experience.

SRS: Street Racing Syndicate (namco) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

SRS pursues the pack, but never gets its nose into the lead. And the novelty extras do little to raise the score, either.

Jimmy Neutron: Attack Of The Twonkies (THQ) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Polished but average, the well worked flow is let down by a few annoying controls. Not a bad buy.

Master Chess (505 Game Street) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Pushes real hard for title of Worst PS2 Game Ever. We've only given it a point because chess itself has been around for ages. Awful.

Pinball Fun (505 Game Street) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

There's a few minutes' joy to be strangled out of this mess but it mainly involves twatting the table with the 'tilt' function. Avoid.

Choro Q (Atlus) (PlayStation 2 (US Version))

A cutesy kiddie racer that thinks it can take on the pros. But the mess of ideas and no content to make them work turns this one into a car crash.

XII Stag (Taito) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Let's be clear about this – XII Stag isn't very good at all, hoping to get by with retro charm alone. But as a bargain buy it's not entirely useless.

Volleyball Challenge (505 Game Street) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

This game made us so angry we actually punched a desk. This not-at-all-worth-it 20 quid purchase has scarred us both mentally and physically.

Winnie The Pooh's Rumbly Tumbly Adventure (Ubisoft) (PlayStation 2 (US Version))

Boring spoon-fed adventure, tied to a cute toy box that will keep younger fans of Pooh happy on rainy afternoons.

Motorbike King (505 Game Street) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Do. Not. Play. This. Game. Ever.

Energy Airforce (505 Game Street) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

Promising, up until the point at which the game begins. And what the hell does 'Energy Airforce' mean anyway?

Aces Of War (505 Game Street) (PlayStation 2 (EU Version))

The only game ever to ask us "Do you want to sally forth?" as an actual menu option. Complete rubbish in every way.