I'm surprised on 2 counts with this article - how have you not noticed this before on footy games; and where are the pro evo fans to put the boot in??!

I guess Pro evo is as bad in this area, which is one reason why Fifa seemed to allow you to win a game 10-0 when Pro evo would never let you have similar 'unrealistic' scorelines. 10 year ago playing pro evo when the team I crafted with the likes of Pele, Cantona, Cryff, etc, were riding high in the league, I knew my PS1 was going to make me lose. I found myself turning off the PS1 and then back on again as the first game you played always seemed to be more balanced and actually enjoyable. I could handle losing, but it had to be fair! Online or playing against your mate locally - there has to be NO manipulation of the play or else it just makes a mockery of the game.

I was always annoyed how Pele (rated 99 out of 100 for shooting accuracy, power, etc) had 30 shots in one game and didn't manage to score and I lost 1 nil to the bottom of the league minnows with their one shot on target. My friend said that this was realism of Pro Evo - I found it stupid!

Getting a balance between realism, creating a challenge, allowing the player to play the game how they want and just down right cheating the player is obviously difficult - probably impossible. But the fun in footy games disappeared for me long ago and now the bubble has burst - I can't see past the pointlessness of them. I may never get into another footy game again.

Been keeping an eye out since you started for Kid Icarus. It's a theme that has stayed with me for 20 odd years. EPIC! please feature it so others can enjoy it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOg2NWQgltI

Why not UK? I was all set to comment and then I read the rules. Wasting my time. Tsk.

I was always a big fan of the Kid Icarus opening song. Bit sad really.

Was impressed with the jet set grind track.

A lot of the other orchestral stuff is pretty immense though less immediate.

Is throwing cheap if you use a player like Zangief, where most of his moves are throws? I tried to mix up my moves when I used him but there are limits to what he can do.

The 360 controller is rubbish - it severely limited who I could play as competently. Although it could be that I'm just terribly skilled. I also ended up doing moves that I wasn't intending too because of it - it probably looked like spamming to those I was playing.

The achievements encourage things like 1 round 30 second games - getting all of the medals, winning battles (consecutive and total number), number of ultimate finishes, etc.

I don't understand the displaying the player icon thing. It really helps spot the noobs and will be manipulated by those that are choosing who to play. I'll admit taht I was always drawn to those that look like new players so that I have a chance. I respected the odd player teaching me a lesson by having the blank icons. If I wanted to host a game, I often changed my icons to some of the earlier ones, so that I would have more chance of getting a game quickly. I figured there were idiots like me all over the world who were doing the same.

I guess my point is that the design of the game encourages a lot of this 'jerk' behaviour.

I only rented the game for a week and I'm done with it now - so don't worry, you won't be having to play me again.

I count 7 usb keys! are you cheating us? Who's having the seventh? Not very ethical is it?.... Can I have it for pointing this out? You wouldn't want disgruntled readers!