Makes being a cabbie fun!

Crazy Taxi (Dreamcast/Arcade)

If you're bored serious racing simulators such as Gran Turismo and Project Gotham then this is just what you need- A no pretensions fully unrealitic arcade thrill ride that doesn't let up until the counter on the top of the screen reaches 0.
The problem with this game is i've basically summed up all its faults and strengths in that last sentence. It's great for a quick bit of enthralling 5 minute fun, but has as much depth as Ben Afflecks acting in Pearl Harbour for any amount of time over five minutes. But its one of the better Dreamcast titles, and well worth picking up at its low price.
By the way, does anyone else think the voiceover for the menus of this game sounds just like Micheal Keaton in Beetlejuice? Maybe its just me...

3 out of 5

What Price? Get it for £2.50 as part of Gamestations 'Retro buy one get one free' deal. Not too sure if its in arcades any more, should be about £1 a go.

The GBA Mario collection

Super Mario Advance (GBA)

The first, and worst of the 4 Mario Advance titles, but it's far from a complete disaster. After all, Super Mario Bros 2 was never one of the most loved Mario titles from the start. I mean, throwing vegetables? Where did that come from? (It actually came from Doki Doki panic, but that is another story).
Despite the fact that it never feels like a Mario game it is a decent game, but age has not been kind to it. It was OK at the GBA's launch nearly six years ago, but now feels a bit laboured and lacks the effortless feel behind Marios best (See below).
So worth a punt? If you want to have the complete collection of Mario Advance titles or want to see one of Marios strangest games, then yes. Otherwise, no.

2 out of 5

What price? The (too) high price of £15


Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (GBA)

Hey, this is more like it. After the oddity of Super Mario Advance this sees Mario's return to form. It's a little simple now, but still has the capacity to excite.
It sees the introduction of Yoshi, and has many different standout moments, especially the Ghost House levels and the hidden worlds (Star World and Special Zone), resulting in a lengthy, challenging and satisfying adventure.
So this is where you should enter the Advance series. Ignore the first one and dive into arguably Marios finest escapade.

4 out of 5

What price? Around £20


Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshis Island (GBA)

Declared by Edge magazine as 'not really' a Mario game, it still has many of the characteristics of Marios adventures- Superlative level design, memorable characters and a huge varied world to explore.
This time you control Yoshi, who's 'flutter jump' is an interesting new skill to master after Marios more strightforward jump. The health system is also changed, as you have to protect Baby Mario (So it is a 'Mario; game in that sense!), although his whining when floating away is one of the only faults of the game. These new mechanics create an interesting new challenge but is still reminiscent of the truly great Mario platformers.
Overall, this game is near irresistible. A great art style gives this a more edgy modern style that Mario Advance 2 lacks, and just overall feels a fresher less imitated game. I therefore give it my first perfect score.

5 out of 5

What price? Around £15


Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3

The final Advance title is another classic, and if you wanted more of the same after playing Mario Advance 2 then this will be right up your alley (ie- you'll like it).
Deep, complex gameplay is hidden behind simplistic, colourful graphics, and anyone decrying it as a kids game will soon be crushed by its suprising difficulty near the end. This is one of the most challenging Mario titles, but still offers you enough even if you never see the end.
A variety of suits for Mario mixes the gameplay up well, and overall this title completes the trio of the best 2D Mario platformers ever with Mario Advance 2 and 3.

4 out of 5

What price? £20

Bombing brilliance

Bomberman 93 (PC Engine/Wii virtual console)

First off, ignore the one player mode, as it will drain your will to live away, and you will not be able to muster the effort to start a 4 player match with your friends. Which would be a real shame, as its one of the purest multiplayer fun-fests you will ever encounter.
Its hard at first, but you will soon pick it up and become hypnotised by the pattern of drop bomb, run, drop bomb, run, etc, until you either make a bad move or if an opponent makes a good move.
Yes its simple, and the graphics aren't up to much. But for multiplayer fun it is hard to top.

3 out of 5

What price? £24 pounds for the original PC Engine version, but only 600 points (£4.50) on the Wii's virtual console

Sporting simulation supremacy on the SNES

Super tennis (SNES)

The best tennis game i've ever played. I prefer it's 16 bits pixels to virtua tennis' 3D muscle for some reason, and it holds up very well even today, despite the 15 years since its entrance into the world of videogames.
No real names here- It's nobodies such as Matt, John, Steve, Hiro, and..well you get the picture. Rallies are common and the controls are easy. The only problems i can find with this game is the lack of four player support and sometimes in doubles the game cuts off a part of the court, making it quite difficult for one player. Still great though.

4 out of 5

What price? A snip at £5

The grand introduction to the Wii

Wii Sports (Wii)

As my friend wisely stated, this game should 'be built into the console,' and he's right. Thisis such a great introduction of the Wii that it should never be lost amongst your many neglected gaming boxes after the initial wonder of its ease of play. Wii sports is also important as its pretty much the best, most rounded multiplayer title availiable for the wii since its launch over half a year ago.
Yes, baseball and Boxing are rubbish. Lets get them out of the way right now. Baseball is too easy for the pitcher and too difficult for the batter. Boxing just never feels solid, its like you're thrashing around in the hope of getting a hit, and in no actual certainty of it happening.
Tennis, bowling and golf are all good though. Tennis is simple but is physical and easy enough to foster strong rivalries between opponents.
Bowling is the easiest to pick up, and because of this most matches are close, and your thousandth strikeis as satisfying as your first (Well almost).
Golf is arguably the best, a suprisingly full featured version of the sport. Only nine holes, but get 4 evenly matched players and see the unpredictable ups and downs make the nine holes repeated over and over. Its also the game which more experienced players can easily see off the first time players, as more skill is required.
So two games which you would cross the street to avoid, and three which you would run after to try and get their autograph. As the good outweighs the bad and this is free with the console i'm going to reccomend this to all.

4 out of 5

What price? £180 with the Wii, £13 seperately (on good ol' ebay)

Obscure Amiga title makes good on GBA

Qwak (GBA)

An incedibly obscure homemade game of which there are only 300 copies, this fast paced arcade platformerhands your ass to you on a plate the first few times you play it. Despite this you will get better at it,and eventually learn to love it for what it is- A lovingly put together high score challenge.
There is nothing beyond the main game (available in treacle 'slow' mode, not so 'easy' mode, and the test of wills 'normal' mode), so you must love this game at face value. And many people will not. It can be too frantic, and just too hard. I find it a little unforgiving too, especially the way the game doesnt show the enemies before a few seconds at the start, which resulted in undeserved deaths a plenty.
But any game that asks you to make your own game box and comes with its only inkjet printed instruction manual you simply have to love. Buy this game (www.qwak.co.uk) and you'll receive a game made with more love than a million film licenses.

3 out of 5

What price? Only £15 on the site above

Rhythm action done the Warioware way

Rhythm Tengoku (GBA)

After all the fuss made over this japan only game in magazine Ngamer i thought i'd check itout and judge it for myself. This is a rhythm action game, but an incredibly simplified one, only using the A button most of the time,and although this could be seen as imaginative i found most of the games were pretty much the same idea, just with different graphics (The geisha and Bear levels come to mind).
It is by the warioware people though, so the sheer sense of charater and weird humour manages to drag you through the games low points, of which there are a few. It isnt too difficult on your first playthrough,but there are some great moments which make up for the short length.This game is pretty simplistic, so no japanese is required to understand the basic game mechanics, although some of the jokes and references probably make more sense back in its native country.
So, worth an import? Just about. I must be one of the only people to find this game underwhelming, and i prefer Ouendan much more...

3 out of 5

What price? Roughly £20 delivered on www.yesasia.com