Mortal Kombat: Deception (Midway) (Xbox (EU Version))

A brilliantly brutal, infinitely playable beat-'em-up. The most complete fighting title on Xbox. A credit to the franchise.

X-Men: Legends (Activision) (Xbox (US Version))

A great mix of frantic beat-'em-up and chin-stroking character customisation. A fantastically addictive comic book caper.

FlatOut (Empire) (Xbox (EU Version))

A deliciously destructive driving title with an emphasis on fast, frantic fun. Hold on tight to this scuzzy southern belle.

Shark Tale (Activision) (Xbox (EU Version))

A respectable movie tie-in with fun, addictive gameplay. Kids'll swallow this faster than the Captain's fish fingers.

Spyro: A Hero's Tail (Sierra) (Xbox (EU Version))

Accessible, addictive and boasting huge environments, expect to see this sticking out of a fair few stockings this Chrimbo.

Worms Forts: Under Siege (Sega) (Xbox (EU Version))

More worms, more strategy, more fun! Fans rejoice, Worms virgins, come see what you've been missing.

Crash Twinsanity (Naughty Dog) (Xbox (EU Version))

A nice, thick wedge of mayhem and quality gaming but nothing ground-breaking. Crash fans will adore it.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon 2 (Ubisoft) (Xbox (EU Version))

As frustrating as it is rewarding, Ghost Recon 2 is best enjoyed with your friends, though you'll still have to endure the erratic AI.

Ford Racing 3 (Empire) (Xbox (EU Version))

Expands on its predecessors, offering more content and challenges. Competently made, but lacking in glitz and glamour.

The Lord Of The Rings: The Third Age (Electronic Arts) (Xbox (EU Version))

Sadly not the RPG to rule them all. It's just a good game that blends a turn-based fight system with the classic story.

NBA Live 2005 (Electronic Arts) (Xbox (EU Version))

A decent spit 'n polish job, but still no online play. Owners of NBA Live 2004 should definitely try before they buy.

The Urbz: Sims In The City (Electronic Arts) (Xbox (EU Version))

Colourful, fun and literally full of life. The PC crowd can keep The Sims 2 - we've got The Urbz.

Ty The Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue (Electronic Arts) (Xbox (US Version))

Younger platform gamers will love it, especially if they've not yet played better. Pass if you're over twelve though.

Pool Shark 2 (Zoo Digital Publishing) (Xbox (EU Version))

Great sim from the masters of the genre. Lacks WCS2004's polish but entertains with wacky characters and settings.

Godzilla: Save The Earth (Atarisoft) (Xbox (EU Version))

Pointless sequel to a pointless original. There are over twenty 'Zilla movies - let's hope there are only two Xbox games.

Tony Hawk's Underground 2 (Activision) (Xbox (EU Version))

An excellent, totally enjoyable sports outing that is two Hawk's games in one.

Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes The Neighbourhood (Electronic Arts) (Xbox (EU Version))

A wannabe wrestler in an unsophisticated, sloppy scrapper's latex mask. And a crap one at that.

Digimon Rumble Arena 2 (Bandai) (Xbox (EU Version))

A fun and frantic beat-'em-up that translates a favourite franchise into a reasonable kiddies' title.

XB99L Light Blaster (Logic 3) (Xbox (EU Version))

The range is pretty good... but ultimately the whole thing seems a little half-baked.