Matt Gander

We’re continually surprised by the number of 2D shooters released in this day and age. Fair enough, there aren’t as many around as there are, say, first person shooters, but there have probably been more released on PlayStation 2 in Europe than on PSone. So much for a...

A shopping mall full of zombies isn’t a scenario as far fetched as it initially seems. The ones we visit are always packed with pasty-faced youths, hanging around in crowds wearing torn clothes, mumbling to one another and scuffing their feet, and elderly sorts blocking doorways and aimlessly...

The sub-heading relates to the four enhanced PSP-exclusive retro revamps of Balloon Bomber, Crazy Balloon, Cameltry and Legend of Kage. We can’t say they’re titles that we would have picked to receive a new lick of pixel paint, but then the games that we would have chosen –...

This compilation – known as Clubhouse Games in the US – sadly isn’t a collection of memorable NES games, but instead traditional games like Blackjack, Chess, Battleships, Dominos and the bored secretary’s favourite Solitaire. There are some non-traditional ones thrown if for good measure though, such as Balance...

This review nearly didn’t happen. Not because we couldn’t be bothered, but because we felt that it’s almost impossible to apply a score. After much deliberation, however, we came to the conclusion that, retailing at a measly tenner – or £5.99 if you shop at Morrisons – it...

It’s not hard to see why the Guilty Gear games have built up a cult following over the years: the animation is impeccable, and the range of fighters is as varied as they come. Our favourite has to be Faust, a tall gangly fellow with a paper bag...

With the likes of Sim City 2000, Theme Hospital, Civilzation II and Transport Tycoon, the PSone was pretty well off for God games. The PlayStation 2, however, hasn’t been quite so fortunate, with only Theme Park World, Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis and the little-known Metropolismania. Thanks to Aqua...

We can’t deny that there’s a low budget feel to this quirky cooking sim – not surprising considering it’s available on US import sites for as little as £12.99. Cheap as chips, you might say. If you buy very expensive chips. It’s basically Wario Ware: Cooking Edition; you...

Yes, we’re reviewing it on Nintendo DS rather than a ‘bigger’ console version. We’ve liked the look of this ever since the first shots were released; the limited geometry of the characters and environments seem to work in the DS’s favour. There was a bit of apprehension before...

There’s no way this review could pass without the following, so let’s get it out of the way: this is a shameless, if occasionally pretty, 3D clone of Advance Wars. From the strengths and weaknesses of each unit, to the special ability every General has, it’s near identical...

Our favourite non-specialist gaming review heralds from FHM, in which the writer infamously gave Ninja Gaiden one out of five because he couldn’t get past the first boss. We’d be interested in what FHM would make of this; it’s tougher than frozen leather, and all for one simple...

In the beginning there was gibberish. The superlative Star Fox 64 gave the furry critters the power of speech, although if you owned the PAL version – Lylat Wars – you could go back to nonsensical ramblings if you wished. Rare’s Star Fox Adventures and Namco’s Star Fox...