Pokemon: Leaf Green and Fire Red (GBA)
You'd think there wouldn't be too much life left in the Pokemon franchise - one of the most flogged horses in gaming, but Nintendo comes up trumps yet again with two more monster-collecting extravaganzas.
This time around you can collect EVERY Pokemon ever created - that's over 300 in total - while
there are plenty of new additions to please Pokemaniacs. You can also use Nintendo's new wireless adaptor to trade Pokemon with no strings attached.
Paper Mario 2 (GC)
The sequel to the much-loved role-playing game is easy to get into but hard to leave as players guide our hero through the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Peach - yet again.
The graphics use a 2D 'paper' effect that makes
everything look like it was cut from a comic-book, while Mario can fold himself into a paper airplane or roll himself into a tube to escape enemies. Very weird, but very good.
Metroid: Echoes (GC)
The follow-up to the stunning Metroid Prime is set on a planet split into light and dark, and with two versions of our hero. The graphics are much improved over the already brilliant-looking original, while an all-new multiplayer mode lets up to four players take part in the action. Another classic in the making.
Burnout 3 (Multi)
The white-knuckle street-racing series has yet to make a wrong move, and the third is another nail-biting, arcade-style joyride that doesn't offer much over previous games, but ups the ante in the graphics and speed department.
Star Wars: Battlefront (Multi)
While the movies may be getting worse, the Star Wars games seem to finally be getting it right. After the sprawling adventure of Knights of the Old Republic, the latest is a back-to-basics action shooter that allows players to re-live and participate in classic Star Wars battles either on foot or in vehicles, while an online mode lets you conquer the universe, planet by
planet.
Outrun 2 (Xbox)
There was no match for the sheer thrill-ride of the original Outrun arcade machine in the 1980s - and Sega is bringing the Ferrari-based racer into the 21st century with a next-gen sequel that remains true to the fun, arcade
spirit of the original while giving it a fresh lick of paint.
It's still very easy though - and even the most useless gamers will be able to polish off Outrun 2 in a few hours. But what a joy while it lasts.
Vote for your fave computer game
