Half-Life 2 (Valve) (Xbox (EU Version))

Crafted with every kind of brilliance imaginable, this has to be played to be believed. Practically flawless gaming.

Peter Jackson's King Kong (Ubisoft) (Xbox (EU Version))

The perfect Xbox accompaniment to the rollercoaster film. Short, but still Peter Jackson at his jaw-dropping best.

Pro Evolution Soccer 5 (Konami) (Xbox (EU Version))

Massively different to PES4 in terms of feel, but on balance this definitely plays the better, more realistic game. An absolute must buy.

Star Wars Battlefront II (Lucasarts) (Xbox (EU Version))

A corker. Builds on the legacy of the first game, and then some. What more could a Star Wars nut want?

The Warriors (Rockstar Games) (Xbox (EU Version))

A distracting, nasty, entertaining piece of afternoon-consuming nonsense. Shocking in parts, yet consistently enjoyable.

SSX On Tour (Electronic Arts) (Xbox (EU Version))

Certainly bigger than previous SSX games, but too similar to be classed as better. A series that's somewhat past its prime.

Cold War (Dreamcatcher) (Xbox (EU Version))

A little stale around the crusts, but on the whole, a taut, nasty little exercise in patient stealth gaming.

LMA Manager 2006 (Codemasters) (Xbox (EU Version))

Great new look with the same social-life-destroying gameplay intact. A must have for football-loving LMA virgins.

Metal Slug 4 (Ignition) (Xbox (EU Version))

It's definitely a fun game, but you'd need to be a huge fan to warrant paying £20 for such a feature-thin package.

Hello Kitty: Roller Rescue (Empire) (Xbox (EU Version))

Perfectly targeted and so cute it's hard not to like.

Evil Dead Regeneration (THQ) (Xbox (EU Version))

The controls are good, but combat is repetitive and the graphics are weak and dated. Not especially funny or scary either.

Ninja Gaiden Black (Tecmo) (Xbox (EU Version))

Incredible to watch, incredible to play. One of the finest gaming experiences ever created... and only on Xbox.

Capcom Classics Collection (Capcom) (Xbox (EU Version))

The second-best games collection we've played. The same games with different sprites, and every one a classic (nearly)!

Without Warning (Capcom) (Xbox (EU Version))

Great idea, mediocre execution. The fast and frantic gunplay is a laugh, although it gets repetitive very quickly.

Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (Activision) (Xbox (EU Version))

Bright and breezy, fully online and stripped of the Jackass tomfoolery, this is the best Tony Hawk game in years.

James Bond 007: From Russia With Love (Electronic Arts) (Xbox (EU Version))

All the parts are in place, but we've seen this in Bond games umpteen times before. Uninspiring and astoundingly bland.

The Sims 2 (Electronic Arts) (Xbox (EU Version))

An even more detailed, varied experience than the previous games - it's more of the same, but that's no bad thing...

Marvel Nemesis: Rise Of The Imperfects (Electronic Arts) (Xbox (EU Version))

A weak, beat-'em-up that's bogged down with needless adventure and story modes. Could have been a corker. If only...!

X-Men Legends II: Rise Of Apocalypse (Activision) (Xbox (EU Version))

Bigger, better and online, but hardly a technical advance over the original. Still a great romp for comic and RPG fans alike.

Ultimate Spider-Man (Activision) (Xbox (EU Version))

A great third outing for Spidey on Xbox, bursting at the seams with Marvel goodness. Great comicbook visuals too.