Gizmondo: Games

A straightforward Ice Hockey title with simple controls - one button to pass or switch, one to shoot or tackle, and one more for a speed boost. Not likely to please hardcore NHL fans, then, but fun for a quick knockabout on the bus to work.

There are some neat touches - like the fact you can play an ice machine mini-game before the start of each match and the way the stadium lights are subtly reflected in the ice. We also couldn't help smile at the way the pitch becomes smeared with patches of blood as matches progress.

However, the sprites are rather small, which means it's not always easy to see exactly what's going on - especially if the teams playing are wearing similarly-coloured strips. And while it's initially amusing that all your team-mates sound like Mr. T (lots of "Die, sucker!" and "Go home, boy!" nonsense), it soon becomes annoying.