IN Animal Crossing everything occurs in real time, courtesy of a 24-hour clock and both seasonal and daily variations occur.

Even when you're not playing Animal Crossing, things are still going on.

This is a more realistic life simulator than The Sims (if you'll excuse the colourful animals). If you leave the game for too long, fellow animals will inquire into your whereabouts

Visually Animal Crossing is nothing spectacular but there's no need for it to be as it crams in so many features that will keep gamers playing for months.

To start with gamers must work to pay off their mortgage! Gamers interact with other characters, fish, pick fruit and even write letters.

It would be impossible to describe in such a concise review everything gamers can get up to but then part of the fun is uncovering the gems in this game.

One such gem is that Animal Crossing is not just one game. Within the game are classic NES games. Why fork out money for Donkey Kong on the GBA when you can buy it in Animal Crossing and then play it in its entirety?

If a whole host of classic games isn't enough to tempt you, how about a free memory card?

Still not content? Well there's always the ability to have four players interacting in your village.

Gamers can leave letters and messages for each other. Gamers can go a step further and visit other gamers' villages with items foreign to their own village selling for a high price.

There really is no other game quite like Animal Crossing If you're looking for something different and refreshing then Animal Crossing is definitely for you.

Michael Wilson

PRICE: £29.99

PLAYERS: 1-4

AGE RATING: 3+

GENRE: Simulation

FORMAT: GameCube

GRAPHICS: 15/20

SOUND: 15/20

GAMEPLAY: 23/25

LIFESPAN: 25/25

ORIGINALITY: 8/10

OVERALL: 86%

TOP 10

1 Pro Evolution Soccer 4

2 Fifa 2005

3 Tony Hawk's Underground 2

4 Fable

5 Burnout 3: Takedown

6 The Sims 2

7 Pokemon Fire Red

8 Star Wars: Battlefront

9 Rome: Total War

10 Pokemon Leaf Green

UPCOMING

Future Tactics: The Uprising; Gametrak: Dark Wind; Grand Theft Auto Advance; GT Racers; LMA Manager 2005; Viewtiful Joe; WRC 4; X-Men: Legends