Gun Valkyrie (Sega) (Xbox (EU Version))

A no frills gaming purist's dream, not for the faint-hearted. Intense, skilful action all the way.

Deadly Skies (Konami) (Xbox (EU Version))

Simply not fast or exciting enough to fulfil that fighter pilot dream. Doesn't ahem, "take my breath awaaaayyyyy".

ESPN Winter Sports (Konami) (Xbox (US Version))

A pathetic effort at a sports anthology title. It's a game stuck firmly in the Ice Age.

Crash (Rage) (Xbox (EU Version))

Good fun for the few hours that it lasts. It's a shame more wasn't made of the original and exciting sections.

F1 2002 (Electronic Arts) (Xbox (EU Version))

A solid F1 title with everything a fan could want - great graphics and handling - but this is mere evolution, not revolution.

UFC: Tapout (Crave Entertainment) (Xbox (US Version))

A decent, brutal two-player fighter, but a bit one dimensional if you don't have anyone to play against.

Knockout Kings 2002 (Electronic Arts) (Xbox (US Version))

All brawn and no brain in what is ultimately an excellently presented, but actually fairly limited scrapper.

The Simpsons: Road Rage (Electronic Arts) (Xbox (EU Version))

A pretty scabby game made bearable by its retarded simplicity, funny voices and fun two-player mode.

Arctic Thunder (Midway) (Xbox (EU Version))

A disgraceful excuse for an Xbox game. Looks dreadful, has no new ideas and feels limp and lifeless to play.

Test Drive Off-Road: Wide Open (Infogrames) (Xbox (US Version))

You've just treated yourself to an Xbox, you want to make it shine. Look elsewhere - you deserve far, far more than this.

Blood Omen 2 (Eidos) (Xbox (EU Version))

A good adventure game, but the linear gameplay puts a dampener on the otherwise vamped-up action experience.

NBA Inside Drive (Microsoft) (Xbox (EU Version))

The best basketball game we've seen, but not so great that there isn't room for future improvement.

Star Wars: Obi-Wan (Lucasarts) (Xbox (EU Version))

Yet again, Star Wars shifts onto one buttock and honks a sub-standard stinking loaf of a game out of its backpipe.

Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath Of Cortex (Sierra) (Xbox (EU Version))

A really solid, no frills platform game with plenty to do, but the old bandicoot hasn't learned any significant new tricks.

2002 FIFA World Cup (Electronic Arts) (Xbox (EU Version))

International Superstar Soccer 2 (Konami) (Xbox (EU Version))