Super Mario 3D World - Wii U

When Mario made an enthusiastic leap into the third dimension in his Nintendo 64 debut, few could have predicted what an influence the game would have as the years rolled by. The plumber's magical journey spawned plenty of hopefuls vying for his coveted cloth cap, yet not one of them could touch the mustachioed plumber.

Since that memorable 1996 adventure, Mario has appeared in several wonderful platform capers, including the superb Mario Galaxy games on Wii, but it's taken until now for him to make his glorious big screen return to 3D in Super Mario 3D World.

The game moves away from the fabled Mushroom Kingdom and the expanses of starlit space and instead takes place in the Sprixie Kingdom - a place where Bowser has kidnapped the realm's fairies and plonked them in bottles to indulge his evil whims - something Link has been doing for years without anyone batting an eyelid. It's all utter nonsense, of course, and just a loose framework to hang the game's spectacular action on. And spectacular it certainly is, with the game boasting amazing level design, sublime visuals and yet another glorious soundtrack. In fact, the game has more fun crammed into its first hour than most games with a 12-hour campaign can boast.

The game sets out its stall before the player dives into the action, with the ever-changing title screen showing Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad gleefully scampering around, showing the player all the moves that can be pulled off in the game. It's a glorious opening and one which serves to whet the player's appetite for the action to come.

Once the player takes the plunge into the game proper, a world of wonder opens up, with Nintendo's latest brimming with fresh and playful ideas. Chief among these is the ability for the main character to slip into a cat-like onesie, complete with impossibly cute ears and tail. This snug-fitting new suit is a wonderful addition and not just a visual gimmick. It enables Mario to scuttle up vertical surfaces for a limited time, where coin stashes and emerald stars are squirreled away in the magnificent environments. It's also utterly adorable and it's impossible not to smile as Mario gambols along with cat-like agility, swiping and leaping at enemies with gusto.

Of course, it's not just Mario that is open to the player. Toad, Peach and Luigi can also be selected and each has their own particular trait which serves to help the player navigate their way through the brilliantly thought-out levels.

The new twists and turns don't end there either, as Nintendo have decided to get fruity with the arrival of the double cherry. Chomp down one of these, and a clone of Mario appears and it's possible to have multiple characters rampaging around the screen at any one time - all controlled simultaneously. Some levels have been crafted with this transmogrification at their very core, allowing the player to spread themselves out and activate switches which opens up even more hideaways.

Nintendo have clearly worked long into the night not only devising Super Mario 3D World's delicious levels, but in the look of the game. This is Mario's first perspective shifting romp on Wii U and the detail is stunning. Bloom is used liberally throughout, giving the game a wonderfully soft feel, while the patterns and textures used are glorious. Giant springy gelatinous orange blocks that wobble to life when Mario leaps on them are a personal favourite.

As Mario opens up new locations a few other surprises lie in store. Self-contained mini levels where the player controls Toad are a highlight, with the player tilting and rotating the cube-like settings in an effort to snaffle all the precariously placed stars before the time runs out. Because of the bite-sized nature of these stages, this would make an excellent standalone game on 3DS and the possibility of dozens more portable levels is certainly something I would like to see.

Control - as you would expect - is impeccable, with Mario and chums responding smoothly to button prompts and stick movements. It's also possible to play with all the Nintendo controllers since the launch of the Wii, and you are going to need them all if you want to take part in the game's riotous multiplayer mayhem. It's a madcap dash to the finish line and with up to three others and on a crowded sofa, Super Mario 3D World shines. That said, the single player mode is where the majority of players will find themselves and rest assured - played solo, this is still a wonderful experience.

Super Mario 3D World might not innovate as much as the splendid Mario Galaxy games, but it's still light years ahead of the competition and showcases Nintendo at its playful best. Utterly glorious, packed with an abundance of sparkling content and an absolute joy to play, Super Mario 3D World was the best game I played throughout 2013. A rare and precious treat.

 

Look back: Kirby's Epic Yarn - Wii

Twenty years ago, Kirby - Nintendo's squishy pink blob with a voracious appetite - made his debut in Kirby's Dream Land on the humble GameBoy. In the years since, he has been a regular fixture in Nintendo's catalogue, appearing in several games including Super Smash Bros, but none have quite matched the brilliant Epic Yarn, his 2010 platforming adventure on Wii.

The story is typical twee nonsense about Kirby's journey to Patch Land, but it's the stunning visuals and fresh gameplay twists which make Kirby's Epic Yarn such a joy. Patch Land is quirky and beautiful, with environments stitched together by thread, felt, patterned fabric, layers of hessian and patches of textured material.
But rather than simply used to create a backdrop for Kirby's comfy, laid-back caper, these lush environments can be manipulated to reveal secrets and trigger unexpected results.

Pulling zips reveals items in the scenery, yanking on shiny buttons crumples the landscape to create ledges, while Kirby can squirrel himself underneath cloth covers, creating a small lump in the scenery.

Previous games in the series focused on Kirby's ability to hoover up enemies and take on their special powers. But as he is now made from a strand of pink thread, this signature move is redundant. Instead, Kirby can morph into various shapes and an assortment of delightful vehicles to explore Patch Land.

On his travels through this plushy world, Kirby can also collect sparkling beads which can be used to buy items for the residents of Patch Land, while hidden collectables and felt covered CDs lie hidden away, waiting to be found by those of an inquisitive nature.

Even the world map is a visual treat, with Kirby looking on as secret doorways take shape in spectacular style thanks to a range of brilliant animations after each successful run.

While the visuals are some of the best and most creative on Wii, it's the captivating soundtrack which sews the whole experience together - it even manages to trump Mario Galaxy 2's spine-tingling score and the electronica-tinged themes from sadly overlooked RPG Opoona - with piano tinkles, strings, flutes, maracas and drums used to create a distinctly Charlie Brown vibe.

Holding the Wiimore horizontally controls Kirby but when motion control is called upon, the results are something of a mixed bag. Putting out fires by adjusting the angle of the controller while in the guise of a fire engine works well, but drawing tracks for Kirby to puff across when he takes the form of a train is an awkward kerfuffle. Thankfully, these episodes are kept to a minimum and are the only missed stitch on an otherwise perfect pattern.

Kirby's Epic Yarn may be easy to complete, but that doesn't detract from the experience. Playing through the game is a genuine treat and its laid-back trappings make it the perfect game to kick back with on rainy Sunday afternoons.

Bursting with creativity in both visuals and gameplay, Kirby's Epic Yarn is a wonderful experience. It's imaginative, utterly charming and an absolute delight to play.

Look back: Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage - Wii (from November 2009)

Last year’s Shaun White title appeared on multiple formats. I reviewed the PS3 version and was left underwhelmed due to a host of control issues and the bland racing action. This year, Ubisoft have released the follow-up exclusively on Wii and the game is all the better for it.

World Stage can be controlled via Wiimote and nunchuk or Balance Board and all set- ups work extremely well. No matter what your preferred option, controls are fluid and intuitive and it’s a pleasure slicing through the powdery snow or pirouetting off a ramp into the icy night air.

There's a good variety of courses and events, and via the in-game airport hub, the player sets off on a globe-trotting journey in their quest to become the No.1 snowboarder in the world.

World Stage has a distinctly kid-friendly approach and includes a raft of cartoony characters and has a bold colour palette. Impressive camera shake and a nice blurring effect when hurtling down mountains at speed also add to the neon-tinged visual style.

It may not be the most comprehensive take on the sport, but World Stage proves to be an above average ride and one of the better examples currently on Wii.

Fishing Resort - Wii

While Japan and the US have been enjoying Fishing Resort/Family Fishing on Wii since last year, there is still no sign of a European release on the horizon. It's a real shame, as Yuji Naka's open-world take on fishing looks rather good.

Not only can you walk, cycle and sail through the game's appealing environments trying your hand at fishing for 200 species in a variety of locations, you can also take on quests, stroll through your own aquarium, modify your character, buy new equipment, explore the resort at your leisure and take on 20 additional mini-games.

With the Wii region locked and data loaders now redundant due to Nintendo's firmware updates, it looks as if this is one catch which will unfortunately slip through the fingers of European gamers.

There's no mention of Fishing Resort on Namco Bandai's release schedule for the remained of this year, while it was XSEED Games who released the game in the US.

What a shame.

One you might have missed: Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon - Wii

Rising Star Games released this atmospheric action adventure in March 2010 and while it has its flaws, it's a charming adventure that is definitely worth a closer look.
Created by the team at Tri-Crescendo - the developer behind 360 and PS3 RPG Eternal Sonata - the story features Seto, a young boy who lives with his grandfather in a world that has been ravaged by disaster. When Seto's grandfather dies, the lonely lad packs up his belongings and sets out to try and find other survivors of the cataclysm.
The first couple of hours are a joy thanks to the game's wonderful atmosphere and beautiful visuals. Control, too, is excellent with Seto moved by the nunchuck, while the Wiimote doubles as his torch. Illuminating dark and dusty corners of this nocturnal world reveals objects which Seto can interact with. However, after those initial opening hours, cracks begin to show in Fragile's glossy casing.
Combat is basic and clumsy, with stabs of the A button swinging Seto's weapon of choice. It's hard to judge distances between you and an enemy, while the camera angle often gets in the way.
The inventory system is equally antiquated, with Seto initially having only a minuscule item carrying capacity. Objects can be switched in and out at the game's save points but going back and forth between them is a chore due to respawning enemies.

Seto can wield a variety of weapons, but as each can break, he is often left facing a room full of enemies with nothing to defend himself with. Fortunately, the wonderfully eccentric Collector makes regular appearances at the game's save points selling weapons, health buffs and other useful trinkets.
Seto's world may be crumbling, but it's still a beautiful place to explore. An abandoned shopping mall, a dilapidated train station, a rusting theme park, a run-down hotel - each location is a visual treat.
Of course, the player can run through these areas to get to the next point in the story, but it pays to wander off the beaten track in search of treasures.
Unlike most games, the loot that can be found isn't shiny coins. Instead, objects such as torn photographs and mementos are waiting to be found.
Each item is linked with its owner's memories and every object has its own background story. These narrated snippets can be quite moving and give the player an insight into the victims of Seto's ravaged world. They add a tremendous amount to the feel of the game and are well worth hunting down.
The audio, too, is well matched to the action, with lovely melodies and eerie effects adding another layer to the game. Voice work is pretty good, and the option to switch between English and Japanese is a welcome addition.
It may not be perfect, but Fragile Dreams is still a beautiful and haunting experience. Its slow pace and clunky combat may put some off, but thanks to its inspired art design and original touches, it's an adventure you should definitely consider taking.

Little King's Story marches on to PS Vita

Perhaps the best news of the week comes from the pages of Japanese magazine Famitsu, which has revealed that brilliant Wii title Little King's Story is to be resurrected on Sony's PS Vita.

The original is one of my favourite games on Wii and tells the story of Corobo, a young lad who inherits the crown to the ramshackle land of Alpoko.

The player guides the pint-sized monarch around beautiful pastoral landscapes, giving villagers jobs, battling creatures and rebuilding his dilapidated kingdom.

It's an epic game which was sadly overlooked when it was released back in 2009. But in a brilliant turn of fortunes, Corobo and the gang will be tramping around Sony's new hand-held thanks to Marvelous Entertainment and Konami.

Titled The King, the Demon King and the Seven Princesses, the new game features spruced-up visuals and touch-screen functionality - more details are expected to emerge at next month's Tokyo Games Show.

A word of caution, though. Original developer CiNG have gone bankrupt since the original's release and the core group of talent who worked on the game are now scattered across Japan representing different companies.

Let's hope Marvelous do the game justice and release a game which will be as good, if not better, than the wonderful original.

Xenoblade Chronicles - Wii

Finally, after years of waiting, the Wii has a quality RPG to call its own.
While some Wii adventures such as Opoona have flirted with greatness, Monolith Soft have finally battered down the door and delivered a brilliant Japanese RPG.

Executive director Tetsuya Takahashi has worked on some of the best-loved RPGs over the course of the last 20 years, including Secret of Mana and Chrono Trigger and he has drawn on all his experience to make Xenoblade Chronicles sparkle.

The world that protagonist Shulk and his ragtag cohorts inhabit is beautiful and unique. There's no sprawling sea chart punctuated with dollops of land to be found here. Instead the game is set on the fossilised remains of two hulking titans - frozen for eternity in the middle of an epic battle.

The art design is excellent, with visually stunning environments to explore. Huge expanses of land open up as the journey progresses, giving the player a sense of freedom as they tramp through the majestic scenery.

The struggle between good and evil is represented by Shulk's band of adventurers, who are up against the destructive mechanical might of the Mechon, who are ravaging human colonies.

The storyline, while a little cliched, remains interesting, despite the English voice acting which is average at best. Thankfully, the option to switch to Japanese audio is available, which at least does away with the repetitive and cringeworthy battle cries.

While the visuals raise the roof thanks to great attention to detail and a wonderful sense of scale, it's the solid combat system which steals the show. It borrows heavily from PlayStation 2 classic Final Fantasy XII, with timed hotkey commands used to dust up foes. But added strategy now comes from finding the best place to position your character to inflict maximum damage.

It seems every game these days has talent trees to pour over and Xenoblade Chronicles is no different. However, they are simple affairs and easy to navigate, while new combat skills are introduced at regular intervals.

Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies on DS shook up the standard JRPG formula by visually representing new weapons and armour on the main characters and Xenoblade Chronicles continues this feature.

A staggering assortment of stat-boosting gems can be forged and fused on to individual items, all of which gives the game a wide and varied range of customisation.

Even when you're not stomping through the main adventure, there are plenty of optional side quests to keep players occupied. Fizzing turquoise globes lie scattered across the enticing environments, each representing an item. Collecting sets of these rewards the player with gems and useful bits of kit, while colony residents are always quick to dish out hunt and gather quests.

The only fly in the ointment is that battles against bunches of foes can be confusing, as the special effect-heavy attacks often makes it hard to know what's going on. But despite the occasional stumble, Xenoblade Chronicles is utterly captivating.

It's an epic and hugely enjoyable quest, with quick thinking replacing mindless button mashing and a truly wonderful game world to explore.

A real gem to add to your Wii collection.

La-Mulana - WiiWare

Aside from the fact that it's a remake of a six-year-old PC game, I don't know a great deal about forthcoming side-scrolling platformer La-Mulana.

What I do know is that it looks like the bastard offspring of Rick Dangerous and Castlevania - and that can only be a good thing, right?

The game is due for release in Japan later this month, but no European or US date has been announced. Maybe next week's E3 conference in LA will bring more details.

In the meantime, feast your eyes on this trailer.

Donkey Kong Country Returns - Wii

It's been 14 years since Donkey Kong swung on to the Super Nintendo to rescue his banana horde from the evil Kremlings in Donkey Kong Country. It was a wonderful platform adventure which raised the bar for visuals in the 16-bit era and a title which spawned two sequels.

But the time has come for Nintendo to dust off the successful formula and deliver a quite brilliant title that will keep you entertained throughout the festive season. The plot is just as thin as it was in 1994, with Kong and his sidekick Diddy on a mission to retrieve their massive banana horde, which has been whisked away by the googly-eyed Tik Tak Tribe.

However, the wafer thin story hasn't stopped the team at Retro Studios from adding a few neat twists of their own to create a title that is instantly familiar, yet full of delightful surprises.

The biggest change here is that Diddy Kong - the agile little tyke whose nimble moves got me out of many scrapes back in the day - is no longer controlled directly. Instead, he clings to Kong's back, allowing the burly ape to jetpack across gaping chasms and provides the duo with an extra two health hearts.

There's a tinge of disappointment when discovering Diddy's been relegated to a bit-part role, but the feeling gradually dissipates when the genius of the level design and feel of the game begin to percolate through.

Retro Studios have really pushed the boat out and introduced new ideas as the game gambles along, including utilising the background to expand the levels. Kong and Diddy frequently find themselves blasted into the back of the scenery to collect bananas and coins, a gameplay twist which keeps the player on their toes.

The nods to the Super Nintendo games don't stop at explosive barrels, tree-top antics or madcap minecart rides - the soundtrack, too, is dipped in nostalgia. The atmospheric tracks from the Nineties series can be heard on every level and menu screen - something that will bring warm smiles from older players and delight younger gamers.

The 1994 game had more secrets to find than most other platform games of the time and this series reboot is no different. Exploring the levels to find all the hidden corners and secrets will take a while, while collecting all the elusive jigsaw pieces will keep players occupied well into the new year.

Graphically, the game is a triumph. Sporting bold and distinctive visuals, Donkey Kong Country Returns consistently looks stunning. A variety of graphical flourishes have been used, including an excellent silhouette effect, which gives each level a unique feel.

Despite the fact that the platforming action is wonderfully balanced, the control set-up does take a bit of getting used to. Nintendo's Classic Controller is unfortunately not supported, leaving the player to make do with either the standard Wiimote and nunchuk set-up or go it alone with just the Wiimote. The latter is definitely the preferred option, as making DK barrel roll and blow on objects while traversing the levels is much easier this way.

But despite this small niggle, Donkey Kong Country Returns is a quite brilliant game and the best 2D platformer on the system. It knocks New Super Mario Bros into a cocked hat thanks to its ingenious level design and tough challenge.
Magnificent from start to finish and a title well worth spending your Christmas cash on.

A Boy And His Blob - Wii

A remake of David Crane's 1989 NES original, A Boy And His Blob on Wii came out at the end of last year. Many people may have missed it, but it is a lovely title and a game definitely worth playing.

The story is wafer-thin, but the game's beautiful hand-drawn visuals blend perfectly with puzzle and platform action to create something truly special.

The boy under your command can't do a great deal - his jumps are small and he can't attack enemy creatures. However, by feeding his mysterious blob jellybeans, the little white bundle can transform into 15 useful objects such as a ladder, trampoline, and parachute.

With dozens of levels, optional challenge stages, and a sprinkling of collectables, A Boy And His Blob will last you upwards of 10 hours.

A gorgeous game that sadly didn't get the attention it deserved when it was released last November.

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Rune Factory Frontier - Wii

Due to the staggering amount of big-name titles released in the first half of the year, many great games have been sadly forgotten about. One such title is Rune Factory Frontier, a lovely game which really deserves your attention.

A spin-off from the much-loved Harvest Moon franchise, Rune Factory's unusual blend of farming, life simulation and dungeon crawling makes for a wonderful and original single player adventure.

Taking control of a boy named Raguna, you arrive in the town of Trampoli, desperately looking for your friend, Mist. It turns out she has started a new life in the picturesque town and urges you to join her.

Within the opening 15 minutes, Raguna will be a fully-fledged member of Trampoli's small but vibrant community, have his own house - complete with dusty plot of land - and own the bare essentials with which to make a living.

The whimsical background story isn't deep, complex or sprinkled with heavy dialogue choices, but Rune Factory Frontier's mish-mash of gameplay styles is so well delivered, the flimsy tale really doesn't matter.

Being a game from the Harvest Moon stable, Rune Factory Frontier focuses heavily on growing crops, looking after livestock and expanding your farm. However, unlike some other Harvest Moon titles, you never feel rushed into trying to cram as much as possible into every in-game day.

The clock still ticks along at an alarming rate, but stops when Raguna is indoors - a wonderful design choice which takes the stress away from his daily chores.

Rune Factory Frontier is completely open-ended, meaning it's entirely possible to concentrate solely on looking after your small farm. But doing so would be folly, as the game is crammed with things to do.

Some aren't immediately obvious, due in large to a lack of hand-holding. In my view, this is one of the game's strengths as it encourages the player to explore the beautiful game world and interact with other characters to move the story along at its own sedate pace.

When not pulling turnips and crops out of the earth, Raguna can cook, fish, craft items, upgrade weapons, visit townsfolk, sell his produce, go shopping, build relationships, get married, go sailing, visit a health spa and generally live a life of comfort.

But where Rune Factory branches away from the traditional Harvest Moon template is in the game's combat. Raguna can enter dungeons and do battle against a range of enemies - he can even recruit monsters to fight by his side or work on his farm. It's very well done, although be prepared to put in some serious work if you want to get the most out of these denizens of the dark.

Visually, the game is beautiful - although there's unfortunately no 480p option. The cheery scenery changes as the seasons pass with rainy autumn and the eerie ambiance of winter being particular stand-outs. There's a full day/night cycle in place, too, which adds to the games enchanting atmosphere.

Each new day in Trampoli brings with it a boggling amount of stuff to do, and the sheer amount of tasks can be overwhelming at times. However, just take your time, and quietly potter about at your own pace and the game becomes much more manageable. Trying to cram everything in at one time is an impossible task, so relax and the game's charms will rise to the surface.

Rune Factory Frontier is bright, breezy, utterly charming and incredibly satisfying to play. Some may think it's a bit too twee, but it's the best role-playing game on the Wii since 2008's Opoona.

If you missed it when it was released back in April, this Rising Stars Games' title is well worth hunting down.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 - Wii

The original Super Mario Galaxy rocketed our favourite plumber into orbit on an epic gravity-defying adventure quite unlike anything we had seen before.

Now, two years later, Mario is back in another star-grabbing, mind-twisting platformer, which improves on the original at almost every glorious turn, jump, leap and spin.

Of course, creating a sequel to one of the greatest videogames of all time is no easy task, but with Shigeru Miyamoto once again at the helm, Nintendo have delivered an astonishing piece of software by which all other platform games will now be judged.

While at first glance the game might seem nothing more than a by-the-numbers update to the original, there is far more to Mario's second galactic adventure than initially meets the eye.

Yes, the background story is the usual nonsense about evil Bowser kidnapping the hapless Princess Peach, but such is the joyous way new ideas and gameplay styles have been introduced, that you simply won't care.

Nintendo have gone to great lengths to streamline Mario Galaxy 2, re-introducing the familiar map which makes moving between star systems a much simpler and less time consuming affair than before.

What hasn't changed, though, are the tight controls, excellent camera system, and the ease of navigating Mario through the devious, but brilliantly realised levels.

Every new planet on Mario's adventure conjures up fresh gameplay twists as Nintendo constantly throw out new ideas challenging the player's perception about what to expect from a platform game.

While Nintendo have clearly raised the bar for level design, part of the game's magic lies in the various suit power-ups at Mario's disposal.

His bee, fireball, ghost and spring suits return, but his range of new abilities - and the way they have been woven into the fabric of the game - are equally special. Cloud Mario can conjure fluffy platforms to reach high points, while Rock Mario transforms into a rolling ball of destruction.

However, chief among his new powers is Yoshi. Mario's loveable dinosaur sidekick makes his long-awaited return to the 3D arena, having last been spotted at the end of the 1996 classic Mario 64.

Jumping on his back lets the player target enemies before unleasing Yoshi's sticky tongue to eat them. But that's not all - in one glorious level Yoshi samples the delights of a hot red pepper, causing the green dinosaur to rampage through a rollercoaster level full of twists, turns and gravitational challenges. Yoshi can also eat blue fruit, which inflates him, and a yellow fruit which turns him into a walking lantern.



Super Mario Galaxy 2 is slightly tougher in places than the original game, but younger players needn't worry.

There's a generous amount of handholding thrown in to help Mario novices. Optional tutorials lead the player through the finer points, while the option for the game to complete sections is also available should the player fail a task multiple times. Your end reward for this computer-controlled assistance is a bronze star rather than a shiny gold one, but it at least shows players where they are going wrong.

Many people like to have a pop at the Wii due to its lack of graphical grunt, but Mario Galaxy 2 is a riot of bold, colourful visuals. It is a stunning looking title and also boasts dazzling water effects.

The soundtrack is more varied than the first game, with a brilliant arrangement of quirky tunes. Older gamers who remember the classic Super Mario World will grin like idiots when they hear some of its classic tracks again, while riding Yoshi is accompanied with the dinosaur's traditional bongo drum beat.

Super Mario Galaxy is quite an incredible achievement. It's jam packed with outstanding moments and trumps the original game thanks to its new power-ups and stunning level design.

It's not only the greatest platform game ever made, but it's quite possibly the finest game ever to appear on a home console. Recommendations don't come higher than that.

Monster Hunter Tri - Wii

My name is the Moose and I'm a Monster Hunter addict. Yes, just a few weeks after the release of Monster Hunter Tri on Wii, I have logged 62 hours - and there's no end in sight.

I've spend a chunk of time online with other hunters, and have now reached Hunter Rank 10. However, most of my time has been spent in the single player mode. I've farmed Qurupecos for their lovely green-plumed armour, but I'm currently decked out in a full set of Gobul armour.

The Gobul is an underwater monstrosity, and I had to kill - or capture - him 11 times to get all the drops I needed. I've upgraded the set with Armour Spheres and I'm armed with a lovely Numbingbird hammer - which looks like a giant green and purple flower. It has a nice paralysis effect, too and came in very handy earlier today.

I took on my first Rathian - a fire breathing wyvern with a bad attitude - and managed to knock him about with my trusty hammer. It was a great moment, and I punched the air with delight when I had completed the quest.

Monster Hunter Tri is without doubt my favourite game of the year so far. Mass Effect 2 and Yakuza 3 are brilliant games, but nothing comes close to the joy monster Hunter Tri brings.

I'll keep you posted on my latest conquests, armour sets and weapons. If you haven't picked up a copy yet, don't delay. It's a slice of gaming magic.

Tatsunoko vs Capcom - Wii

While all gamers know the Capcom name thanks to titles such as Street Fighter and Resident Evil, a lot of people will never have heard of Tatsunoko. That's because Tatsunoko is a Japanese animation company, whose closest links to the Western world lie in Seventies series Battle of the Planets.

Fortunately, despite a range of unfamiliar characters, you don't need to know anything about Tatsunoko to be able to enjoy this fabulous tag team fighter.

Just three attack buttons are used: light, medium and heavy, and together with directional inputs introduce a host of moves to experiment with. A fourth button is used to call a second character into the fray. This substitute can either be called in for a quick attack, or can be swapped on the fly. It's a simple and elegant control system, allowing players to input quick-fire combos with ease.

Each time your character unleashes an attack or receives a punch in the guts, the Hyper Combo Gauge fills. This bar can be topped up to a maximum of five times and can be triggered to deliver a potent series of special moves. If the bar is filled to capacity, each fighter can pull off a visually spectacular and devastating attack.

Just because unleashing flashy combos is easier here than, say, Street Fighter IV, it doesn't mean the game is shallow button-mashing nonsense.

While novice players will be happy to hit any old button and hope for the best, there's more than enough to keep fighting game veterans happy. Cross-over assists, hyper combos, cross-over air raids, and Baroque combos are just some of the special moves to be learned.

The riotous action is made all the more special thanks to the brilliant and colourful cast. There are more than 20 characters to select from the start, while more can be unlocked as you progress.

Well known Street Fighters Ryu and Chun-Li lead the way for Team Capcom, but there are some wonderful characters from the company's games represented here - Mega Man, Darksiders' Morrigan, Viewtiful Joe and housecleaning Mega Man robot Roll take center stage - look out for her amazing special moves. Even square-jawed journalist Frank West takes a break from mass zombie killing in Dead Rising to put in an appearance.

On the Tatsunoko side, the most recognisable pair are Ken the Eagle and Jun the Swan from classic Seventies series Battle Of The Planets. Joining them is an assortment of truly off-the-wall characters. Chief among them is Doronjo, who along with her Dorombo gang, unleashes havoc with bombs and mechanical gadgets.

The bold slabs of colour used and fantastic animation add to the visual polish, while the game's slick framerate remains constant throughout. It really is a gorgeous game and one of the best looking titles on the Wii.

Along with the default Arcade Mode, there are a variety of play modes to explore and even a shop where artwork and extras can be purchased with in-game currency.

Tatsunoko vs Capcom can even be taken online, although the experience for me was slightly laggy, but certainly nothing game breaking.

The stilted slide show rewards for completing the game with each of the characters are a bit of a let down. I was hoping for slices of animation and some worthwhile rewards. It jars slightly as the rest of the game is such a visual treat.

Various control methods have also been added, including support for a Gamecube pad. I played with the Classic Controller, which proved to be more effective than the standard Wiimote/nunchuk set-up.

Tatsunoko vs Capcom manages to cater for hardcore fighting fans and beat em up novices, with enough content to keep players going for months. It's accessible and a joy to play. Snap it up and experience something a bit special.

Shiren The Wanderer 3 Portable - PSP

With America due to get Shiren The Wanderer 3 on Wii in the next week or so, I've been insanely jealous. After all, no European publisher has picked Shiren's latest adventure up, which is a bloody disgrace if you ask me.

So, I've plumped for the next best thing - Shiren The Wanderer 3 Portable on PSP. I ordered it last week from Japan and it arrived this morning. I've put around five hours in today and it's wonderful stuff.

Shiren's first outing on PSP is a port of the Wii version, although I understand there's a handful of extra dungeons - too early to say for sure, as I'm still fighting my way through the game's early levels.

The biggest difference with Shiren 3 over the last two outings is Chun Soft have made the game more accessible to newcomers. The player has the option of two difficulty settings. Easy allows you to keep all your items and level when you die, while normal strips you of your items when you kick the bucket, but your level remains.

It's a radical departure for a series which is famous for being a ruthless challenge. Of course, I've plumped for the normal setting, as one of Shiren's charms has always been the fear factor.

Like Shiren 2 on DS, Shiren 3 features a hub town. Although I've had a nose about, I haven't come across much to do in the town yet. There's a warehouse, a bank and a merchant but little else. Of course, I'm sure more will open up as progress is made.

My first game ended when I starved to death - there doesn't seem to be a place in town where I can buy riceballs, so that was fun! Nice to see some things never change :)

I've also discovered there is a 1000 floor dungeon - although again I will need to clarify.

The language barrier is throwing up a few problems as far as the story goes, although thanks to the Shiren 3 Wiki, I can at least identify items.

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that a company such as Rising Star pick the Wii version up and release it in Europe. Considering the amount of sub-standard software sitting on store shelves, it would be a crime if a quality title such as this didn't make it to Europe.

I'll post back when I discover new things.

Endless Ocean 2 - Wii

The sequel to one of the Wii’s hidden gems has arrived - and it’s a breath of fresh air on a system which is depressingly becoming full of average software. 
Endless Ocean fleshed out ideas from PS1 cult classic Aquanaut’s Holiday, giving the player a whole ocean to explore at their leisure. The mixture of laid back gameplay, soothing sounds and lovely visuals wasn’t for everyone. However those who dived in were well rewarded with some breathtaking sights, making it the perfect game to kick back and chill out with.

That was two years ago, and I’m delighted to say the sequel improves on the original in almost every area. The first game's open-ended structure didn’t click with many gamers, so developer Arika have given the sequel a bit of direction this time around.

Starting out as a fledgling diver for a small scuba diving company in the Southern Pacific, the tale begins innocently enough, with what amounts to an enjoyable tutorial splashing about in a bright coral reef. Soon, however, you’ll be exploring deep caverns, murky rivers and chilly Arctic basins as you and your small team travel the globe trying to unravel the mysteries of the fabled Song of the Dragons.

The yarn is typical fare for the most part, but it does give the game a sense of purpose. It also draws the player gently along, dishing out new rewards such as a camera and underwater pen as the story progresses. It’s still possible to dive and explore at your leisure between the main plot points, and it’s here where you’ll spend much of your time. Treasures lie scattered about the ocean floor and as each item, fish and mammal is catalogued when discovered, it becomes something of an obsession scouring every nook and cranny.

The control system is identical to the original’s with just the Wiimote needed to play. It’s a comfortable set up and one most people will find easy to get to grips with. The biggest difference here is the area of exploration. The original game limited the player to a small circumference around their boat, with tedious trips back aboard required to move to a new area. Not so with the sequel.

The player is free to explore the oceans, although more care is needed when it comes to you oxygen supply. Another new introduction is a danger meter. The first game carried no hazards, but Endless Ocean 2 arms the player a Pulsar Gun which is used to repel dangerous creatures such as sharks. Strangely, it also doubles as a healing kit to nurse sick fish back to health. It’s one of the game’s weak points, as most players will simply want to explore without the threat of danger hanging over their heads.

It’s also possible to visit islands and secret coves, where land-based animals and birds reside. These excursions offer a nice change of pace and it’s always exciting discovering a new location. You have a base of operations, too, where you can keep track of your progress, get items evaluated, change diving gear, alter the time of day, read up on all the aquatic life you’ve discovered and develop any photographs you’ve taken. All pictures can be saved on to an SD card and uploaded on your PC.

Endless Ocean 2 also features some of the most impressive graphics yet seen on the Wii. While character animation above the water remains laughably wooden, the underwater sights are truly breathtaking. It’s gorgeous, packed with detail and some of the locations you visit are simply jaw-dropping. Coral reefs, shipwrecks, sunken palaces and crumbling ruins are just some of the sights that await.

Endless Ocean 2 is not a short game either. There’s dozens of hours of gameplay packed on to the disc, while online co-op returns to add a splash of longevity.

Those looking for relentless, all-action entertainment should seek their thrills elsewhere, but for gamers looking for something a bit different, Endless Ocean 2 is an underwater paradise.