VEMPIRE
This gothic-themed game doesn't vant to suck your blood, but it does want to sap away your time with its addictive block-based puzzle action.

The premise is hardly unique but at least the developers have taken a slightly more unusual approach with the presentation, so they've got to get some marks for that. And, what do you know - the gameplay isn't bad either! One pretty good puzzle game, mwah ha haaaa....

GRAN TURISMO
If there's one thing that the folks behind Gran Turismo are incredibly good at, it's making us wait a really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really long time for their games.

Thankfully, they're also just as good (but we can't reprint all those reallys, there's not really enough room!) at creating incredibly gorgeous and realistic driving sims. And we're not going to make you wait for our definitive verdict for one second longer!

BEATERATOR
What's this? A Rockstar game that doesn't involve shooting or killing or shooting and maiming and then killing in some way? Surely not!

Although not a first for the notorious publisher (Rockstar Table Tennis, anyone?), it's certainly a departure from the norm, and it's great to see Rockstar branching out, and they've only gone and got Timbaland on board for creating their new music mixer. Could this be the surprise PSP hit of the year or will we have mixed feelings? Find out inside...

MOTORSTORM: ARCTIC EDGE
Joining God of War, Ratchet & Clank, Jak & Daxter and Gran Turismo, among many others, MotorStorm has become one of the increasing throng who've downsized to pack their next-gen punch into Sony's powerhouse handheld.

Picking a smart theme (lots of snowbanks shouldn't be too hard to render), can Arctic Edge follow in the blazing trail of its predecessors or will it receive a chilly reception. Head off the beaten track and come inside for the answer...

DISSIDIA: FINAL FANTASY
It's Final Fantasy. On the PSP. Nuff said.

We could leave it there, but the truth is, we'd very much like you to read on to discover why Dissidia is so damn good, and also how it's nothing to do with having a really bad stomach upset. Sam Atkins worked hard on this review and you wouldn't make him cry by not reading it - would you? Would you? Come on, have a heart - click below now!

ASSASSIN'S CREED: BLOODLINES PREVIEW
With hopes running high for the forthcoming sequel to the game that was so wonderful in some ways and yet so fatally flawed in others, this seems as good a time as any as silent assassin Altair to sneak his way onto PSP for a bit of on-the-go killing and rooftop scrambling.

Enter Bloodlines, with an all-new story sandwiched in between the original and sequel - shame it isn't out sooner, but it could well be a must have handheld release to steal into your collection...

BLOOD BOWL
Anyone who was (or is) involved in Games Workshop tabletop role-playing games, or indeed just enjoys painting the figures, is likely to have fond memories of Blood Bowl, a GW franchise based around an insane and insanely violent version of American football.

It seems like the perfect fodder for a conversion to PC, where its comical violence and larger than life participants can be brought to life, but has it been done justice or will heads roll like footballs? Charge into our review for the answer!

ROCK BAND UNPLUGGED
We know what you're thinking (yes, we do - we have psychic powers that will amaze and astound you!) You want a rhythm action guitar game that you don't have to play with inebriated friends, that you can play on a tiny screen.

You don't, you say? Liar! Anyway, MTV and EA have decided that's what you do want - and you know what? It's actually pretty damned good, as Alan Martin finds out after spending a week cultivating an 80s hair metal look...

PHANTASY STAR PORTABLE
Phantasy Star is the epitome of cult classics, a game that isn't widely known but is certainly strongly revered by hardcore RPG fans who fell in love with its at the time revolutionary online play.

Now its fun and challenging gameplay has been brought to the PSP - it's all there in the palm of your hand, but there's one crucial feature missing: you can't take it online. With local play rarely an option unless you happen to have several mates who also own a PSP, can Phantasy Star draw a new generation of fans into its underground following? Read on to find out...

RESISTANCE: RETRIBUTION
The Resistance series has finally made its way to PSP, an inevitable move given the success that Sony triple-A franchises like Killzone and God of War have seen in recent years.

And like these other franchises, Retribution bridges the gap between the two PS3 games, explaining what happened in Europe following Nathan Hale's uncovering of the Chimeran conspiracy. It sounds like it should work but is that enough to secure it as a game that fans of the series need to own?