When an evil darkness enshrouds the land of Hyrule, a young farm boy named Link must awaken the hero - and the animal - within. Link, a young man raised as a wrangler in a small, rural village, is ordered by the mayor to attend the Hyrule Summit. He sets off, oblivious to the dark fate that has descended upon the kingdom. When he enters the Twilight Realm that has covered Hyrule, he transforms into a wolf and is captured. A mysterious figure named Midna helps him break free. With the aid of her magic, they set off to free the land from the shadows. Link must explore the vast land of Hyrule and uncover the mystery behind its plunge into darkness. As he does, he'll have to enlist the aid of friendly folk, solve puzzles and battle his way through dangerous dungeons. In the Twilight Realm, he'll have to use his wolf abilities and Midna's magic to bring light to the land. Besides his trusty sword and shield, Link will use his bow and arrows, fight while on horseback and use a wealth of other items, both new and old. Players can use the Wii Remote as a fishing pole, while a spin of the Nunchuk controller executes a spin attack.

The follow-up to the #1 next-generation game, Call of Duty 3 delivers the intensity of being closer than ever to the fury of combat during the Normandy Breakout, the historic campaign that made the liberation of Paris possible and brought the Allies a step closer to Berlin. Through a seamless narrative that delivers the rush of unrelenting battle and breathtaking action, players assume the roles of four ordinary Allied soldiers American, British, Canadian and Polish and are thrust onto an authentic, living battlefield for an unprecedented variety of combat, with advanced high-definition graphics, detailed character animations and explosive on-screen action, delivering the most immersive and cinematically intense war experience ever.

The Power of next-gen:
Built from the ground-up for next-gen consoles, Call of Duty 3 brings the battle to life with advanced graphics, a new physics engine, a procedural environment and detailed ensemble animations that deliver the most cinematic war experience ever.

Battle actions:
An all-new close-quarters battle mechanic allows players to fight hand-to-hand, improvise explosive devices, disarm traps and execute a host of other battlefield situations that require cunning and rapid reflexes to survive.

Branching mission paths:
Next-generation level design provides multiple attack routes that let players decide how to confront the enemy flank an opponent, or hit him head-on. Each unique mission path requires special tactics, from sniping and demolition to all-out head-on clashes.

Nowhere to hide:
Environmental physics allow players to destroy enemy soft cover hideouts, forcing foes out in the open. But be wary, opponents can eliminate your protective cover as well.

Team-based multiplayer with vehicles:
Combined arms and team-based combat provides unprecedented depth and variety by allowing up to 24-players to battle

In a nutshell:
If you want as gentle an introduction as possible to the world of Wii then this user-friendly compilation of mini-games is just the thing for you, with a collection of games that are as easy to play as they are fun.

The lowdown:
It might be easy to use but the Wii is still a pretty unusual beast and a bit of a culture shock from the overly complex controllers of other consoles. This compilation of mini-games aims to ease you in gently with simple to play games that only need the Wii Remote to enjoy. These include games of table tennis, air hockey (or Laser Hockey as the game would have it) and an updated of NES classic Duck Hunt. There's also Wii Billiards, a fishing sim and a number of games which use your customised Mii Channel character, including Wii Pose and the Where's Wally style Find Mii. Since many of these games have a multiplayer mode the game also comes bundled with an extra Remote (but not a nunchuck), which usually sells for £29.99 separately.

Most exciting moment:
Although all of the games are fun the best one is probably the Duck Hunt update (which also has you shooting UFOs and other non-avian enemies). Perhaps what's most exciting about it is that it proves how good other light gun franchises, such as Virtua Cop and Time Crisis would be on the Wii.

Since you ask:
Many of the mini-games included with Wii Play, such as Duck Hunt and Table Tennis, were first seen as technical demos at the E3 trade conference in May 2006, when the Wii was first revealed in playable form.

The bottom line:
The beginner's guide to Wii, with a handy extra controller. - HARRISON DENT

Race to the finish line in Disney/Pixar Cars, the video game. It`s Piston Cup season again and last year`s hotshot rookie, Lightning McQueen, is ready to race. Explore the town of Radiator Springs and the rest of Ornament Valley with Lightning as you collect bolt icons and gain bonus points. Complete a variety of races and mini-games with your favourite Cars characters--and some new ones too. So start your engines, hold on tight, and get ready to leave the competition in the dust.

• Story-based adventure that relives key moments of the movie
• Burn rubber in over 30 races and mini-games
• Explore the open-world of Radiator Springs
• Speed to the finish line with over 10 playable characters
• Make friends eat your dust in multiplayer mode
• Features major voice talent from the movie

Red Steel is an exclusive Wii launch title that takes full advantage of the console`s innovative controller and puts players directly into the action-packed first-person experience with the weapon in their hand literally.

An engaging storyline unfolds as you learn that your fiance has been kidnapped and her father a Japanese mafia kingpin murdered by a rival gang. The only way to save your loved one and defend your honor is to journey from Los Angeles to Japan and confront the Tokyo underworld.

By learning the ancient art of Japanese fighting with your katana and the focused precision of modern firearms, you will progress and adapt yourself to this foreign environment, where skills alone may not guarantee you victory.

• Red Steel is the only original first-person action game built from the ground up for the Wii
• Take full advantage of the Wii controller, and control the action like never before. You`ll replicate sword-fighting movements and eliminate enemies quickly by directly targeting and shooting them
• Execute deadly combo moves using multiple swords or choose from a variety of firearms for longer-range attacks
• Learn to harness your mental power to unleash powerful attacks in dire situations, and use the focus system to freeze time and effectively target several enemies at once
• Learn the art of Japanese fighting, and then use these skills to take out your enemies or gain their respect and loyalty by sparing them
• Challenge friends with various split-screen multiplayer modes to see who the real master is.

Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles is a brand new game in the Resident Evil franchise, with familiar locales from the entire series. This action/shooter hybrid reveals the back story behind the fall of the Umbrella Corporation by exploring locations from Resident Evil 0, 1, 2 and 3 as well as new never-before-seen locations, such as Umbrella`s stronghold. Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles combines first-person, light-gun style combat with interactive pathways, multiple weapons and new enemies to create an entirely new Resident Evil experience that could only be delivered on the Wii.

• Using the Wii Remote as a gun, players can experience breathtaking combat against a horde of zombies and various creatures in dynamic first-person perspective.
• 480p and 16:9 Widescreen support
• Returning characters from many RE games, including Billy Coen, Rebecca Chambers, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine and Carlos Oliveira.
• Classic locations from previous Resident Evil games in full 3D, including the mansion from the original and RE 0, and elements of Raccoon City from RE2 and 3.
• Interactive paths choose various routes and pathways through the game, allowing for multiple levels of replay ability

In a nutshell:
Now everyone can be a brain surgeon as you pick up scalpel and forceps to battle the full horrors of an infected intestine, medical terrorism and angry anime nurses!

The lowdown:
The original Trauma Center is already one of the most original and fun games on the Nintendo DS but although this is largely just a remake of that game it's more than welcome on the Wii. As accurate a simulation of real medicine as Phoenix Wright is of law (i.e. not very much) you'll nevertheless have great fun repairing hapless patients with ailments that start of as simple tumours to bizarre fights against evil terrorist nanobots. What really makes the game though is the simple intuitiveness of the controls, with the precise movement of your scalpel being one of the best endorsements of the Wii Remote's accuracy. The game's no push over though and you'll need to employ the mysterious bullet time style"healing touch" to make sure you don't end up the Doctor Death of Hope Hospital.

Most exciting moment:
Although the game is a remake of the DS it does include several new missions, an extra playable character, new operation types and new surgical tools - including a defibrillator which demands a shout of"clear!" every time you use it.

Since you ask:
A surgery game was one of the first styles of games hinted at in an introductory video for the Wii, which also showed people appearing to play games involving fishing, cooking and playing the drums - amongst other non-typical games concepts.

The bottom line:
Major surgery has never been so much fun as the Wii and DS line-up combine.- HARRISON DENT

In a nutshell:
Rayman steps back into the limelight as he's brought in to protect the world from evil alien… rabbits? One of gaming's most beloved platform stars returns in a mini-game collection that makes Wario Ware seem sane.

The lowdown:
Apart from Mario, most other attempts from platform heroes to branch out into other genres has usually ended up in abject failure. Overseen by the series' creator though this features 80 of the weirdest party games ever conceived, including hammer throwing with cows and squirting rabbids with water to keep the door shut on them while they're in the toilet. Not all of the games are as short and simple as that though as this also includes various racing missions, a fully fledge flight game and ten different first person shoot 'em-up levels. Although each mini-game is introduced with a frequently amusing cut scene there's also a fully fleshed out multiplayer mode for most of them, including the shoot 'em-up levels where you get to play as either Rayman or one of the Rabbids.

Most exciting moment:
Whenever you complete a game in the story mode you can replay it any time via the replay mode. When playing the game like this you also get to dress Rayman up in an unlikely range of clothing, from afro wig to flared jeans and winged collars. It's not just for show either as it increases the likelihood you'll get a love letter from the Rabbids in the audience of each game!

Since you ask:
The Rayman series was created by Michel Ancel, France's most celebrated game designer. As well as the first two Rayman games he was also responsible for Tonic Trouble, the award winning Beyond Good & Evil and celebrated movie tie-in Peter Jackson's King Kong.

The bottom line:
Rayman's jump from platforms to mini-games is no misstep.- HARRISON DENT

Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII now conquers the Wii!

In this enhanced version of the game, you relive the famous air combats of WWII, from Western Europe to Pacific. Benefiting from new missions and special controller features unique to the Wii, Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII will make you live WWII as if you have been part of it.

Experience the most gripping and famous battles of WWII through the eyes of a squadron commander and ace fighter pilot. From the Battle of Britain, through the dramatic air combat of Pearl Harbor, the fierce fighting of Midway, and back to the battle for Berlin. Your piloting skills will create WWII history. Dominate the skies of Western Europe and the Pacific and bring your squadron of Blazing Angels back alive.
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Survive nature's most devastating catastrophes in Disaster: Day of Crisis, a panic inducing survival game for Wii. In a devastatingly short period of time, an unprecedented wave of natural disasters has pummelled the United States. On top of this inexplicable series of disasters, a rogue Special Forces unit has taken advantage of the chaos and seized a nuclear weapon. Only Ray, a former member of an elite rescue task force, has decided to take a stand.

• Guide former marine Ray as he tackles the terrorist cell SURGE and battles against the forces of nature
• Use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk in a diverse range of ways to overcome your environment, rescue citizens and take out your enemies
• Enjoy the movie-like storyline that unfolds

In a nutshell:
The monkeys are back to put the Wii Remote though its pacing, with more puzzles, more features, more party games and, most importantly, more fun (and bananas).

The lowdown:
They're monkeys, they're trapped in giant hamster balls and, unlike the recent Super Monkey Ball Adventure, they're super. This is Super Monkey Ball 3 in all but name, with the same mix of single player puzzles and party games as the original two games. As before the puzzle levels simply have you trying to navigate your monkey through a maze without falling off, except you don't control the ball itself but tilt the whole game world around it. The big difference now of course is that get to use the Wii Remote, which is perfect for the extremely subtle movements necessary for game. New features include a jump command (either the 'A' button or by actually flicking the controller upwards) and a number of boss battles that will test your monkey-in-a-ball controlling skills to the limit.

Most exciting moment:
As well as seeing the return of party game favourites such as Monkey Target and Monkey Race, Banana Blitz also features brand new concepts such as Monkey Fencing (where you jab into the screen with your remote) and Monkey Hurdles (where you have to pump the Remote up and down as if you were running). There are 50 party games in total and all use the Remote in a different way.

Since you ask:
Sega have said that all the characters from the previous games will make an appearance in the new game. There are also new ones planned too, including a female monkey named YaYa and a new simian scientist character.

The bottom line:
Super monkeys return to form in their biggest game yet. - HARRISON DENT

Experience the world of SpongeBob Squarepants like never before as SpongeBob and pals Patrick and Plankton rampage through nine outrageous and wacky levels. Your impression of Bikini Bottom will never be the same as you embark on a series of fantastic and bizarre underwater adventures. See SpongeBob and pals flying, skydiving and racing their way through an outrageous B-movie landscape!

Super Fruit Fall is a true puzzle game that is simple in concept but with enormous depth as the challenge increases. Super Fruitfall is very easy to grasp with simple controls but will keep players coming back for more, eager to improve their performance. The objective is to make the fruit disappear by moving them around the grid until they are grouped together - fruit must be either above or to the left or right of another fruit, diagonals do not count. The fruit can be moved by rotating the play area and allowing the fruit to fall thereby creating groups of three or more of the same fruit, which will then be removed, a bonus is awarded if more than one group disappears on one turn.
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In a nutshell:
Billed as the last Mortal Kombat game on the current generation consoles, Armageddon sees a return to one-on-one fighting and playable cameos for every single character from the series.

The lowdown:
This isn't another roaming beat `em-up, like Shaolin Monks, but rather a one-on-one beat `em-up that works as a sort of 3D Mortal Kombat Trilogy, with the main draw that it contains 60 different playable characters from throughout the series' history. In part this is to make up for the fact that the game hasn't really changed much from 2004's Deception - although there are new aerial combos and an improved parrying system. Oddly the number of different combat styles for each character has been reduced from three to two though and the once impressive graphics are starting to look a bit long in the tooth. It remains the most accessible 3D fighter around though and still does better at carrying on the original's legacy than many other franchise sequels.

Most exciting moment:
In order to make up for the lack of gameplay changes, Armageddon includes a huge range of extra options and game modes. The best is Konquest which is a lot more fun than the similarly named game mode in Deception, with a great little arcade adventure containing mountains of unlockables to use in the main game.

Since you ask:
Few of the other new options work as well as Konquest, with the Mario Kart style Motor Kombat being particularly dire. The Kreate-A-Fatality option is also a bit of a damp squib and the Kreate-A-Fighter is only slightly more interesting - and seems somewhat redundant considering how many characters are in the game already.

The bottom line:
An unnecessary sequel but one that's still hard not to have fun with.- HARRISON DENT

Now that almost any old console or arcade machine can easily be emulated retro gaming has become bigger business than ever. Nowhere else is that more true than with Neo-Geo games, arcade and home console titles whose 2D graphical prowess were matched only by their price (which is why only the hardcore know about them). Now though everyone can experience the classic games of old, including the entire Metal Slug series - one of the finest side-scrolling shooters of all time. This compilation includes all seven of the core games, including the brand new Metal Slug 6 and Metal Slug X. If you've never played a Metal Slug game before it's functionally similar to games like Contra/Gryzor as you trundle from left to right across the screen perforating with extreme prejudice anyone that comes your way (usually Nazi stand-ins or aliens).

Although Metal Slug's set-up is both simplistic and unoriginal it's the execution that makes it shine. Weapon upgrades include everything from a lighting bolt shooting cloud to a machine-gun equipped monkey helper, as well as the eponymous metal slugs: heavily armed vehicles ranging from tanks to helicopters, jet planes, submarines, ostriches and elephants. The attention to detail in the animation is incredible, helped by the game's wicked sense of black humour. However, although all the games are essentially arcade perfect not all of them are as well regarded as each other (particularly numbers 4 and 5) and the controls aren't necessarily well suited to either the Wii or PSP - although the former includes a lot of bizarre alternative motion control options. In the end though the only real flaw is the extra loading pauses throughout the games, but if you can ignore that this is an excellent celebration of one of 2D gaming's greatest bastions.
HARRISON DENT

His body imbued with the power of crystals. He controls magic beyond our knowledge. He possesses abilities greater than ours and powers that can cause us grievous harm. Is he a savior, or is he damned...? He is...a crystal bearer.

• BE THE CRYSTAL BEARER - Become Layle and push his crystal bearer skills to the max, as he and his companions discover the truth about their mysterious adversary.
• LEAP, HURL AND SMASH YOUR WAY TO VICTORY - Enjoy exhilarating, real-time combat using intuitive, action-based manipulation of weapons, enemies - and even Layle himself.
• ENJOY CUTTING-EDGE GRAPHICS AND AUDIO - Blistering 3D visuals push the Wii hardware to the limit, and an emotive orchestral score brings the game’s world irresistibly to life.
• IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE LEGEND - Lose yourself in the epic story and its cast of unforgettable characters, set in a vast and breathtaking fantasy world.
• EXPLORE THE WORLD, DISCOVER NEW ABILITIES - The open-world design means that you’re free to explore however you wish, while the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controls encourage all kinds of playing styles and tactics.

The Wii plays host to another totally unique game as you hunt for the electric Eledees with a gravity gun that can send everything from teapots to family cars flying. Making a mess was never so much fun.

Konami have been one of the most reticent of the big Japanese publishers, in being coaxed away from just supporting the PlayStation. But with their first game on the Wii there's no sign of Solid Snake or Silent Hill. Instead they've created something entirely original, although its influences are as diverse as Pikmin and Half-Life 2.

The game has you collecting the cute little Eledees that are hidden in various locations around the levels. In order to coax them out you have a gravity gun with which you can manipulate the environment, from opening drawers and cupboards to flinging around lawnmowers and dunking basketballs. The more Eledees you collect, the heavier the objects your can move, from pots and pans in the beginning, to whole houses by the end of a level. As well as just being able to lift heavier objects, gradually charging up your gun allows you to power electrical equipment. Stick a chicken in the microwave or start the garden sprinklers and dozens of Eledees are revealed. This leads to some surprisingly complex puzzles and ensures almost everything in a level is interactive to some degree.

The game has a multiplayer mode, with four people competing to collect the most Eledees they can find. However only one person gets to control the camera (via the nunchuck) which is bound to lead to arguments. - HARRISON DENT