Top Ten at Christmas

PS2 Pro Evolution Soccer 5
In our humble opinion, the Pro Evolution series represents the best football franchise available. With a much expanded Master League, new trademark moves, a general face-lift in the graphics department and a tweaked control system that means you really have to time your shots for maximum effectiveness. If that wasn't enough there's rumours of 2 vs 2 online play - bring it on!

True Crime: New York City
Say hello to the Xmas slice of gritty crime drama courtesy of True Crime: New York City. Playing a cop that used to be a criminal, you get to play on both sides of the moral fence. Bust criminals, take down foreign and local gangs, search and seize, extort, interrogate, and dispense justice your own way thanks to a customisable melee combat system. A possible San Andreas beater? Possibly.

PC The Elder Scrolls IV - Oblivion
If open-ended gameplay is your cup of tea then welcome to the whole teapot! Elder Scrolls IV is an offline RPG experience, but with over 1000 NPCs to interact with you'd be forgiven for thinking you're playing the latest Warcraft instalment. The enormous world of Oblivion is open for you to explore at your own pace, and shorter quests such as fighting bandits, mixing potions, creating magic items and persuading friends keep the challenges coming. A game you may never get bored of.

Star Wars Battle Front II
It can't be Xmas without feeling the force! The stellar online play that marked the original Battlefront returns even bigger and better for Star Wars Battlefront II. New space battles allow you to dogfight in X-wings, TIE fighters and Jedi starfighters. For the first time ever, players can engage in space combat and, during the same battle, board enemy ships to attack from within. A massively revamped single player campaign is also in the offing for anyone who wants to be a Jedi over Christmas.

PSP
Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories GTA on a handheld? We've died and gone to heaven. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is an entirely new game in the Grand Theft Auto series. The original storyline and all new missions take place in Liberty City, featuring the interactive, open environment, superb voice talent and diverse music that have become pioneering trademarks of the series. There's even a rumoured wireless multiplayer option!

The Sims 2 Now you'll be able to carry a family in your pocket when The Sims 2 gets released on the PSP handheld. Featuring a unique storyline for each platform, The Sims 2 lets you create, customize, and control different neighborhoods as you delve into the mysteries of Stangetown and strive to uncover its secrets. Mind your Sim's Sanity Meter to save them from a nervous breakdown and connect with other players to trade secrets and play head-to-head mini-games!

Nintendo DS
Mario Kart DS The acclaimed Mario Kart series has gone online, letting players race and battle their friends all over the world with up to four karts at once. Players even can race seven other pals over local wireless with only a single game card via DS Download play. Featuring an all-star cast that includes Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Wario, Bowser and Toad racing over 30 courses drawn from every Mario Kart game. Possibly the definitive karting game, split over two screens!

Tony Hawks American Sk8Land
Designed to take full advantage of the Nintendo DS, Tony Hawk's American SK8Land is the first 3D Tony Hawk game for the DS. Featuring a unique cell-shaded art style, players must prove themselves to Tony Hawk as they undertake hundreds of skating goals set in seven popular areas of Los Angeles. A detailed top screen displays the main gameplay, while the bottom screen displays information such as a level map with collectable locations, dialogue, tips and hints. And if that's not enough two players can go head-to-head via a wireless connection and battle through various different competitions. Gnarly!