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"Best Before"

You're looking through the fridge at night, trying to decide what to eat. There's a large variety of meals to choose from, but there is one major problem - almost all of them have past their best before dates, and are no longer fit for consumption. Thankfully, there are a couple of packets containing food still fit for a king, saving you from the terror of Takeaway.

Oddly, its not just food that has this problem. Lots of things in life suffer the same way, and computer games are no exception. If you look back at some of the games you've bought, there are bound to be a few that you just don't feel you need to play anymore. For example, since the arrival of Gran Turismo 3, have you felt the need to play Gran Turismo 2? Similarly, games like SSX and FIFA soon go out of date. Its not just sequels that do it either. Once you have a game like Metal Gear Solid 2 that completely rules in one genre, other games in that same genre become less playable, and sometimes completely invalid.

Fortunately, not all games are susceptible to mould and severe coverings of dust. There are a few special games out there that last for a life time. Years after their release you can pop in the disc, and still feel as excited as ever. Shockingly this doesn't include any of the Army Men games, but in my opinion, it does contain a few games that may surprise you.

Tinned Splitters - Yep, its TimeSplitters, a game I've mentioned a large number of times as being one of the PS2 launch titles that seemed to go unnoticed which was a shame as it was a game that made the launch line up far better than most people realised. Eighteen months after this game's release, I still find myself in deathmatches with friends. The speed... the fun... the excitement... no other first person shooter, or multiplayer game comes close. When a game has this much lastability, it really is something special.

Smoked Starfighter - To be a little more precise, "Jedi Starfighter", a game that hasn't been out as long as TimeSplitters, (not by a long shot) but shows all the signs of out-lasting its near rivals. Already I've found myself quite addicted to the game, particularly its co-operative mode. As many people prefer to work together rather than against eachother, its the kind of game that will still be used for years to come. Settling into the Episode 2 ships, or even the old classics like the X-wing or TIE fighter, two people can work together and save the universe. Not bad for a saturday afternoon if you ask me!

Chilled Boarding - Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3, a game that to me seemed like a big waste of time. Before I played it, I thought it would never be as good as SSX, but I was very very wrong. Admittedly the first hour or so can be off-putting, but once you've got stuck into the game, it simply won't let you leave. I have used this game nearly everyday since its release last November, even during exams which I now regret. It really is one of the most addictive experiences on earth, and will be playable for a long time to come. Sadly, its time may be limited by the arrival of Tony Hawk's 4, but that seems some way off for now, putting this game safely within its best before.

Personally, I would love to add Metal Gear Solid 2, Gran Turismo 3 and possibly even Jak and Daxter, but I know a lot of other people would disagree. The heavy plot of Metal Gear, the repeated racing of Gran Turismo and the smaller incentive for replay in Jak and Daxter can all turn people away, though I myself am not put off by this. Similarly, Grand Theft Auto 3 is loved my millions, and is surely a candidate for this kind of lastability, but again, my point of view differs in that I have perhaps lost interest in the game.

As you can see, its all down to personal opinion. A game that lasts 10 minutes to one person can last a life time to another. With food, its down to storage and production methods, but with games, its something else, something special. If you find a game that lasts you forever, then you truly are getting the most out of the gaming world.

I`ve never really worried about that. Some of the reviews on my site are word for word the same as the ones I`ve submitted here. If I`m accused of cheating, its not hard to prove its my site. I wouldn`t worry if I were you.

The easiest thing to do if accused of cheating is make a page on the site saying hi I`m ssxpro from sr, and I wrote these or whatever.

Anyway, i`ll take a look at your site in a sec!

Thanks. I haven't actually got any reviews on yet :D coz i'm not sure if SR wud like me taking them. As they might ban me thinking i copied of a site even though it's my own but they may not know. But i did actually mean the site is alot a better than mine :D

so u can have a look, cant remeber what state i left it in!

www.ps2world.vze.com

Thanks a lot! I appreciate the kind comments. I`ve been talking to Wookiee Monster this morning, asking about upgrading to a .co.uk or a .com and he's pointed me towards getdotted.com so I`ll be checking that out soon. The name I`m after was available this morning, so I might go for it after I check some things tonight.

Anyway, about the reviews, I`m sure your's are very good too. Whats the URL for your site? I`ll take a look if you want (though it might be Friday before I get some proper net time again).

Thats ok. I just had another proper look. It's very good! I like the menu bar down tthe side....ver stylish. And the images are very sharp and clear! Its a very good site. I especially like the reviews section. Well presented....and alot better than mine :D

Thanks for your vote btw! I just added it to the stats table.

Ah right thanks. (Duh!)

Anyway good site. I'll have to have a proper look when i have time.

www.ssxpro.tk ( - see tagline)

So....whats the address :D

This topic, as well as two more, are now part of my articles section on my site. Just thought I`d let you know that highly interesting fact. (The initial post I mean, not every reply).

RM18. That was it. Sorry again. Second paragraph of my previous post was to you.