Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker Nintendo GameCube Legend of Zelda is one of the games unique to the GameCube that never gets tired or worn out. Where other game franchises publish sequels that become boring, uncreative and uninspired, Zelda always manages to create new and compelling game play on every Nintendo platform. As an adventure game, Zelda offers extraordinary entertainment guaranteed not to disappoint. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Ubisoft Xbox, PC and GameCube This think-first, fire-later stealth-based shooter offers fantastic game play in the spirit of the PlayStation hit Metal Gear. Surprisingly, the developer created the Splinter Cell concept first and presented it to bestselling author Tom Clancy, who loved it. He gave the idea some polish and now you can guide Sam Fisher as a rogue agent who has formed a splinter group. Highly recommended. Resident Evil Zero Capcom GameCube Murders, corpses, the undead and, of course, evil set the scene for this standard-setting, scary franchise. Resident Evil Zero is a horror adventure game with lots of action, a spine-chilling story and a few puzzles to solve. Some of my friends play this game in the dark to make the experience even more hair-raising. If you like to scare yourself with horror movies then this graphically beautiful game is for you. Halloween might be a better time to play it, but no one will complain if they get it for Christmas. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Ubisoft Xbox, PS2, PC The Prince of Persia comes to the rescue again! Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, the fourth game in the series, does justice to its proud lineage. As a Middle East-themed 3D action-adventure, it leaves nothing lacking. Action, suspense, secret areas and magic all add up to a fun-filled experience that will have you coming back for more. A bonus port of the classic original is included for game history lovers. Freedom Fighters Io Interactive Xbox, PS2, GameCube, PC Freedom Fighters is set in an alternate world in which the USSR ends the second world war by dropping the A-bomb, communism dominates the world, and the United States is an occupied nation. It might be hard to get past the super-patriotic pro-US slant but, once you do, the game is thoroughly enjoyable. You start as a lowly rebel in this first squad-based action game but you and your team quickly grow in power, strength, calibre and bore-size. Anyone who loved X-Com will love this game. Freedom Fighters is a tad short, but its superb design makes it a must-have. Soul Caliber II Namco Xbox, PS2, GameCube One of the best 3D fighting games ever produced, it was hoped that this game would save the now defunct Dreamcast console. There is no blood-letting in this game despite much violence - though whether this means violence without bloodshed is OK is uncertain. Multiple modes of play include Arcade, Vs, Time Attack, Survival, Team Battle, Practice, and Weapon Master, give Soul Caliber II a lot of replayability. The game is guaranteed to be a holiday hit. Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge Microsoft Xbox Lots of multiplayer options mean that this game can get quite competitive. You can play online using your Xbox Live or offline through split-screen play. Set in an alternate post-war universe, Crimson Skies is an exciting flight combat game that makes it easy for anyone to hop into the cockpit and immediately have fun. Ratchet and Clank: Going Commando SCEA/Insomniac Games PS2 This PlayStation exclusive creates the characters Ratchet and Clank, memorable mostly for their penchant for big guns and bigger explosions. This highly original and truly engaging game combines action and role play to allow players to use their own style. Tony Hawk's Underground Activision PS2 One of the most successful sport-themed console games ever, the Tony Hawk series marries smooth graphics with thrilling stunts. Best of all, no matter how often you wipe out, you can get up and try again. This latest edition adds a storyline as you attempt to graduate from skate punk to superstar. It also lets you create and share your own skate parks. Whatever the story's weaknesses, Tony Hawk's Underground has a reputation almost as solid as its namesake's. Mario Cart Double Dash Nintendo GameCube One of the biggest reasons for GameCube's enduring popularity is the range of characters it has created for its games, and of them all the kings are still the Mario Brothers. The biggest Mario title of late has been Mario Cart Double Dash. The game pits the brothers and friends against one another in a typically psychedelic go-cart race, which you can play with up to eight people. A perennial favourite with beautiful graphics.
