So the votes are in and apparently, after 28 years, over 100 games and sales of over 222 million, new research recently carried out by YouGov across Europe reveals the Italian dynamo, Mario as the best-loved video game character of all time.

Now for me I have several characters that I've hung out with on multiple occasions. For several years Ken from Street Fighter was my bezzy mate cos we kicked up all opposition that came before us.

I then had a cyber affair with Lara Croft (Tomb Raider) we discovered ancient artifacts stopped power hungry dictators and also saved the world from falling into darkness then Lara started making movies so I left her and along came Solid Snake from Metal Gear solid. We saved the world many times and no one even said thanks. Now whenever I bump into Ken, Snake or Lara it still raises a smile.

What characters make you smile? I know one of Mikes was Krakos, but I wanna know about you guys. Whose your favourite gaming character of all time? Pacman, Sonic the Hedgehog....??

Come on don't be on a long one!I

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Part 2 of Rampage's Christmas guide to gaming, this time we've decided to help you out with potential pressies for the adults. Them games you might have been hearing about throughout the year, but have forgotten about. Well Mike and Trebs are here to give you a little reminder.

There's been so many good games this year, that if you're not up on your gaming knowledge, your head may be about to explode with confusion!! Fear not, Rampage are here to save the day, with their advice on the best games to get for Christmas.

Just take a listen...

So guys that time is almost upon us, and as we scramble like mad chickens and make that crazy last minute dash for the shops. In the bid to get those Christmas pressies for friends and family. STOP!!

I thought I'd get Mike and T to give some of you a helping hand. With their Xmas guide to games for the kids and family, since their like big kids themselves, who better to advise on some of the big games out there.

I understand how it can be when you're completely stumped for what to get members of your family, searching for potential presents can be LOOOONNG!

So take a listen to their guide, and hopefully we'll be able to help you out!

So....it's nearly Xmas day and you're hoping Father Christmas in his fat red suite has delivered all the pressies on your list? We all know something's are just too expensive to buy, but that doesn't stop gadgets being high on the list.

Everyone wants some sort of gadget this year.....phone, laptop, mp3 player, DJ equipment, etc. The list is endless. Whether we get it or not is another matter. I know I'd personally like a boombastic surround, so erm ....if anyone from my family's listening.... Trebs says he wants a larger than life HD Projector so he can play games on the side of his house! (I'd like the new 3Gs iPhone 32gb please Mike - Producer woman).

What about you guys, What gadget do you want for Christmas? More importantly do you reckon you'll actually get it??

But to be honest half the time, most of us just want to make a flipin' phone call! Now the reason we've chosen these particular handsets is because either these (or their predecessors) have arguably had the most hype around them this year, but are they any good?

Over the last few weeks I decided to check out these so called hottest phones on the market to see if they're all that and then some? So let me it break down ....

First up the brand new....

HTC HD2
Its predecessor the HTC Hero win best gadget of the year at the T3 Awards.

HTC HD2's 4.3-inch display is the first thing that grabs you.....it's amazing. When you see video playback in high definition you will be very impressed. It has the world's first capacitive touch technology on a Windows phone.... POW!!!! 1 GHz processing power......DAMN!!! It is the phone that comes closest to a pc. Customise it at your leisure and the phone really does belong to you. It's almost like building your own computer! If you don't want Internet Explorer you can have Fire fox or Safari. On top of that it takes up to a 32g micro SD card......so bags of memory peeps. What's mad cool is the time and weather update. Wherever you are its automatic, and if you use the weather wallpaper it'll give up to temperature and effects mirroring the weather outside in your area. (Nice touch). Windows mobile also gives you access to an incredible amount of apps so you need not worry.

Now you need to bare in mind that this phone is perfect for pc users and will sync effortlessly. Downside is if you have a Mac, its not as straight forward (at the moment, still waiting on more apps that will make this an easier process). If you have a MAC read the next review.

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Apple iPhone 3G S

Is the upgraded version of its predecessor with a few tweaks. Its processor is decent, up from the 466MHz which makes opening and closing Apps much quicker and fluid so downloading is better. You can also check your messages, copy, paste and call them back using their contact profile.

The games look amazing....AMAZING I TELL YOU! Gotta be honest before I really wasn't interested in gaming on the iPhone, but now I changed my opinion. Better graphics and quicker game play makes this a very enjoyable phone to have.

Now one thing that stands out for me is the videoing on the new iPhone..... Upload to YouTube and Facebook after editing it on your phone to near DVD quality! Now we're talking BABY!

When buying a phone the battery life is very important especially when a phone like this batters Apps....you'll be happy to know that battery life has been extended. Whoop whoop! My only gripe has to be the camera. With so many 8MP and 12MP camera phones adding a measly 1MP is a joke. Come on sort it out.

Again like the HTC HD2 which is perfect for the PC. This works wicked with a Mac. But you're able to download software to sync it to a PC so you can have the best of both worlds.

PALM PRE

The Palm Pre was probably the most anticipated hand set of the year. I managed to get my hands on it 6 months ago and was well impressed with its features. It's Synergy and Universal touch development is brilliant.

It's got all the usual Windows, Facebook, Instant Messenger and Twitter Apps which is cool. I love the fact you can have multiple Apps open all running and just flick then off the page like playing cards. Music and photos at a glance just as easy to manage, but this phone excels with the Synergy technology.

Import all your Facebook contacts with contact details and the minute you put their number in you can link to their profile. FANTASTIC!! It syncs your Google and other accounts under each name automatically as well as not duplicating names like in my Nokia! It also works out if your Instant Messaging and SMS account belong to the same person all on one page. Brilliant!

It's a slick easy to carry phone that is so practical.The 3.2 MP camera does the job and photos can be easily be attached to emails and uploaded. By the sounds of this review you must be thinking it's the best thing since sliced bread right?

Well... There some major problems though..... Its QWERTY keyboard is the smallest one I've ever seen!! (if you've got big fingers like me its all over).
Only an 8g GB built in memory that slows down when loads of Apps are open and the battery life is beyond shocking. I took it back to the shop twice thinking there was a fault with the handset. (Definitely not good).

It's only got 20-30 Apps at the moment compared with over 90,000 Apps on the iPhone....Need I to say anymore?

All in all I gotta say getting the right phone does really depend on what you want it for and your particular lifestyle. THe Palm Pre, good phone a lot of hype but still not as good as the other two in my opinion. The HTC HD2 and iPhone come pretty much the same rating with not much distance between them, but no qwerty keyboards on both is a downside for me. However still both great phones worth checking out.

Check out the ratings.

HTC HD2

IPhone 3GS

Palm Pre

Are you appy? You sure?

So I've noticed we obviously all have mobile phones and a lot of those phones can have applications installed with the iphone leading the way with about 100,000 apps available to download. (How far we've come from them first brick phones! - Producer Woman)

(Remember a few months back we mentioned TPain had an auto tune app called I am TPain - Producer Woman). I've got a couple on my itouch like ifooty and Paper Thrower but I wanna know what you guys are using. There are loads of apps for the Blackberry and Nokia phones too. Whose installed the Facebook app or the twitter one? Maybe you found some free games that have got you completely hooked.

Leave a comment here and I'm going to compile a top ten free apps from what you guys are feeling, so go ahead make me appy!

Errr I don't think you heard me, I said YOU CAN PLAY IT!! Playing an entire house as your screen takes gaming to another level that even I am impressed with. Apparently there was 21,268 lightbulbs and LEd's used. I gotta say 10 out of 10 for effort, although as a special effects expert the guy does have a bit more knowledge than the average person, when it comes to things like this.

Regardless though who needs a HD TV when you can just sit in your front garden with a wireless add on. Wish I'd thought of it, I'd be camping out on the lawn 24/7!

Check the video here:

So we wanna know what game would you love to play on the front of your house? Mine would Forza 3, and Mike's would be DJ Hero. Can you imagine the gameplay ? It would be SICK!! Let us know yours.

There are certain games, from certain games series I await. The Zelda series is one of those and Spirit Tracks was certainly one of those games. As soon as it landed on my desk, I had ripped off the plastic and shoved it straight into my DS console and got down to business. I do promise however to be constructive with my review, though I'm a massive fan.

Spirit Tracks is the second original Zelda to grace the DS console, and like its predecessor Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass it is styled in the same cell shaded fashion we saw on the Game Cubes Zelda: Windwaker.

So the story goes as follows... Link (You) are a trainee steam engine driver and have been summoned to Hyrule castle by princess Zelda to graduate as a full fledged driver. Once you get there it all kicks off and I'm not going to spoil it for you but as most my favourite games entail, you have to save the princess.

Something I love about Nintendo, over other games companies is there ability to make things simple. A game like Zelda could be considered quite complicated with its train driving, multiple sword fighting techniques, very tricky puzzles and general detail that has been put into a game, but the designers of this game have made it very easy for it all to become second nature to you. Every tutorial is implanted into a small task which is easy and becoming more tasking the further you get into the game.

My favourite thing about Spirit Tracks is the beautiful level design. The temples and the lands around them are beautiful to look at even on your DS and its the simple things that really make this game an instant classic.

The sound design like any Zelda is very clear and well orchestrated. I still think though that Link sounds like he is swearing when he does a bit attack.

Between playing the game and doing this review I still haven't managed to complete it, and I can tell you, I've played it ALOT. This game is long and if you are looking for a game to get you through the cold winter period, this game is definitely the one.

Now for my complaints. This was hard because though i am genuinely a huge fan of the Zelda series, but this game is great. Everything is very smooth, easy and fun to play and long enough to take you through to 2012. If I had to improve anything, is that the story takes a little while to fully get going and it could do with being a few gears faster. I do think that doing that may effect how easy the game is to fall into.

I wanted to give this game a 4 star rating to prove I wasn't being biased, but i can't. It's too good. Sampage out.

Rated: 7+
Available: Nintendo DS only

I have to admit that since the release of Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 2, the hours I've put in have been ridiculous!! My whole life seems to be passing me by. When I see my friends constantly on-line (until 5am) I know where they are, but meeting up for a social has gone out the window.

What's happened to everyone? Dev from Radio1 and BBC Switch had to give his copy to his mum otherwise no studying would be getting done! What about Fifa10, There's another game that keeps you completely glued to the TV......Grand Theft Auto, Assassin's Creed, Rainbow 6, the list is endless. What is now apparent and blatantly obvious is that the gaming fraternity has succeeded in DRUGGING US!!!! We are addicts people and we're becoming more gaming junkies.

I want you to think about this and be honest? The first step is being able to admit it. The second step is being able to talk to someone about it. We want you to tell us how many hours do you spend playing video games? DON'T LIE!!!!! TELL THE TRUTH!!! WE CAN HELP YOU....... Ok the last ones a lie but leave your hours on the wall and the game that has you hooked, and we'll try our best to help, from one addict to another....

Mike

The advert always gets me!!! You look at the cars and think they're real...... then you realise its FORZA 3! Brap! I tell you! MORE BRAP for new cars we can download.....Ferrari's 2010 458 Italia. The brand new 2010 Mercedes SLR Stirling Moss and the new Audi S4. I'm in HEAVEN!

They've described it as the " Hot Holiday Pack". Well it was flippin roasting, when we stepped out of the1Xtra towers, and there it was, a vision of beauty before my eyes. The brand spanking new Mercedes SLR Stirling Moss waiting for us to climb inside (yep an actual real one peeps!!).....I felt like I was 5yrs old with a ruck sack stacked with jellybabies. The car retails at £425'000, I mean thats like cruising around in a NICE house!

With only 500 made worldwide and we actually got to cruise in one. (I love my job!). Holy Shizzle, now I can't wait to get home and play the game again.... Well sadly its the closest I'm gonna get to being in that car again.... Check the pics.

Now usually games that are released as spin offs to movies suffer from being overshadowed by the movie and thus a lot of the time are complete rubbish.
This time however enough has been done to make sure Avatar doesn't go the same way.

Set on the planet Pandora the human race once again have to battle for survival. This is a third person shooter with a bit of action adventure thrown in. My initial demo of this was on a 3D tv and I've gotta say I was quite impressed.

This game will probably do well just from association with the movie but that said it does stand the test of being a good game in its own right.There's currently a lot of competition in the shoot em ups arena but I gotta say this still comes out with flying colours.

Available on: PC, PS3, X360
Rated: 12

When I played Wheelspin earlier this year I believed the game was nearing completion. The only description that came to mind at the time was "Wipe-out on wheels" frantically fast, hard to control, bouncing and falling off tracks that would look brilliant. Howver now having played the completed game....Let me apologise for disrespecting Wipe-out by even mentioning it in the same breathe, gotta say Wheelspin is SHOCKINGLY POOR!

Even without a steering wheel you'd think I get the handling right eventually right....errr NO!

In a nutshell the graphics ain't good, the handling is poor and the game and I wouldn't be suprised if it will be filling up Exchange shops after Xmas or the Warehouse could burn down and the developers do an insurance job.

Available: Wii
Rated: Age 7+

Lucky to get that!!!

Formula one on the Nintendo Wii has arrived. Now this franchise has been around for ages but its the first time its been made available on the Wii. (Good look for Nintendo).
So now all kinds of arm waving frolics are possible because of course you have to use the motion control to steer your car around the track.

The first thing that strikes you is how good this game looks, possibly the best looking game on the Wii that I've seen. Beautiful...... (top marks for this).

Next up this game tackles the problem of Fomula one generally being more boring than watching paint dry. You still have all the driving aids which brake for you, show you the racing line, prevent you spinning and all the other mistakes you could make in a race car hence making it as easy as pressing X in order to win. (Definitely good for new gamers).

The game features Jenson, Lewis, Kimi and all your fav or not so fav F1 drivers (Boo to Fernando). All the tracks from the F1 season are there (aint done em all yet), and you can do quick races or if you have the stamina full length races and full race seasons (If your a saddo with no life).

The game is compatible with the Wii steering wheel or the more hi-tech logitech one. So you can pretend the front room is the pits and you've just stopped for a tyre change.
I must say I was very impressed with this game and it might have even earned a permanant space on my game shelf (Trust me its full!).

Amazing graphic for the Wii, and customisable gameplay to suit you or your Gran make this a real fun title to play and I whole heartedly reccomend it.

Available: Wii & PSP
Rated: 3+

TTT

Ok peeps this is truly a massive exclusive here, huge of epic proportions! Due to our extensive connections and the fact we play games sooooo much an industry insider has given us the heads up for the early stages of Call of Duty Modern warfare 3!!!

We've got our hands on a video with early shots and gameplay from the next edition. All I can say is the A.I is incredible and the characters speech is almost totally life like! I mean if you thought Modern Warfare 2 was big, you ain't seen nothing yet!!

Watch it here.....

If you liked this video, check out more content at Onion here

So those little silent people that are made out of plastic, not content with having their own Batman and Indiana Jones games now have their very own Rock band game.

If your not familiar with the concept of Rock Band and its big rival Guitar Hero are kinda like karaoke for the new millenium.Depending on the add ons you have (microphone, guitar, drums), you play and sing along with the well known tunes included in the game and score points according to how well you perform.

The obvious twist here is that even though the tunes are real the on screen characters are Lego versions for example Blur (complete with mop tops - Too funny!).

There is a healthy selection of well known chart hits to sing to and you can export songs to play back and show off to your mates. So all in all there nothing ground breaking or new but a good continuation of a popular franchise.

There are hidden costs however because the game comes with no add ons and won't work with at least a microphone which has to be bought seperately. So half a joystick off for that means a resonable 3 out of 5 joysticks.

Rated:
Available: