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Lovely graphics and dynamics let down by appallingly arbitrary gameplay when playing off-line. However takes on a completely different aspect when playing over the internet (and not just with registered friends, unlike some games) when at least the odds are equal, and the "vs" play mode rescues things a bit when off-line. Race a variety of characters in a variety of karts and bikes, across a variety of circuits - some conventional, some not at all (e.g. shopping malls, snowboard runs etc), optionally using the supplied steering wheel attachment to the Wii remote. Lots of power-ups to collect and use, but many of these are weapons that others can (unavoidably) use against you, and in off-line grand prix mode, the computer AI generally gangs up on the human players, making it pointless for the competitive gamer.

An excellent game, but seems to be holding its value so not the best bargain out there. Loads of levels, and a lot more variety than expected. The space theme is the mortar rather than the bricks, with many of the stages being pretty traditional platform fare, just projected in absolutely exquisite third-person true 3D. The graphics really are a big step ahead of anything else I've seen on the Wii, and (so far at least) have never remotely choked performance-wise, keeping absolutely smooth throughout. In common with the best stage-based games, 100% success is not demanded for progression, but determination is duly rewarded.

You can pay an awful lot more for a simple bench than this, but whether you really get what you pay for if you do so is questionable. Sure, this is a little flimsy and the back flexes a bit more than one might like due to only being attached at the ends, but at the price it's hard to complain too much. Quality control may be a bit iffy - we had to get an arm-rest swapped out because the one first supplied was almost split into two pieces, and although the replacement is fine, there are a few other places where the wood's not quite as intact as might be hoped. For occasional use, perfectly good overall.

A little overpriced, but still a lot of fun. Mario and (mainly) friends jump around collecting coins as usual, this time on a quest to collect pure hearts and hopefully reverse Bowser and Peach's forced wedding. The big feature here is that for a few seconds at a time, the lead character can switch into a (fairly rudimentary) 3D view, necessary to solve some problems, meet other characters and so on. There's a reasonable (and sometimes even funny) story behind it all, a certain amount of adventuring required beyond a straight platform game, and sufficient level variety to keep interest through the game.

I first tried Eledees (a.k.a. Elebits, internationally) at a friend's house and because I dived straight in without really understanding the gameplay, I wasn't that impressed. But I gathered my friends had persevered and found it good, so when we found it for ten pounds we took the plunge. Basically the game is set in a typical suburban house and you explore rooms trying to hunt the eponymous Eledees and in so doing, crank up the power on your capture gun so as to collect even more Eledees (many of which hide under and in increasingly heavy objects which have to be moved, shaken etc) in the process. It's surprisingly compelling, and the time limits are tight enough to be challenging and persuade repeated attempts. Some reviews bemoan the 3D graphics, but they are excellent in a slightly cartoony feel and rarely slow down even with lots of furniture being thrown around the room.