Ratchet & Clank, PS2 (SCEE) £39.99
This is a beauty of a game packed with lots of humour and the sort of thud and blunder action you don't find in big PS2 titles any more. It's a familiar platform-based cartoon quest, but the gaping backdrops, animation and enormous weapons give it bundles of charm and originality. This game gives the PS2 a title to rival Nintendo's Mario Sunshine.
****
Dancing Stage: Party Edition PS2 (Konami) £29.99
Many people will be familiar with the Dancing Stage series, which needs a special mat with sensors to bring the arcade game into your sitting room. This new edition brings the song list right up to date, with Kylie and S Club numbers to strut your stuff to. The two-player mode has been beefed up significantly, but this really is a one-trick pony.
**
Yoshi's Island GBA (Nintendo) £29.99
Once again Nintendo platform proves that it knows best what works well on its little machine. Yoshi's Island is yet a third import of a SNES classic, but it makes the transition brilliantly. The gameplay suits the GBA perfectly, and the graphics represent the peak of 2D creativity and quality. A Christmas must.
*****
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