VIEWTIFUL JOE: RED HOT RUMBLE, Publisher: Capcom, Platform: PSP. Price: £29.99. Family friendly? 12+: ONCE the side-scrolling action-platforming adventure genre was as popular as first person shoot 'em ups are on today's gaming consoles.

But in the rush to embrace new technology that made three-dimensional gaming possible, the side-scroller was pretty much forgotten.

In recent years, only the Viewtiful Joe games have carried on using the side-scrolling convention. But they did it so well that an avalanche of sequels has kept fans happy.

Now the series comes to the PSP and the frantic action and non-stop pace are sure to have your wrists aching with pleasure.

With Captain Blue all set to retire from action films, a successor to the greatest hero of all time must be found. Departing from the level- based gameplay of its predecessors, Red Hot Rumble pits you in head-to-head competition with the series' cast of colourful characters.

Joe and his rivals must battle it out on various film sets to prove they have the "right stuff" to merit the highly-prized role of replacing Captain Blue.

Up to four players can take part in multi-player mode but most of us will experience Red Hot Rumble on our own. The combat is incredibly fast- paced. There's no time for thoughtful strategies when a moment's delay can (and often does) prove fatal. Random button bashers aren't at a disadvantage in this game.

Exclusive PSP content includes making Dante, from the Devil May Cry series, a playable character alongside 20 other selectable heroes.

Trial mode single player features 40 new mini-games - varying from great to grating - that are mostly over in a flash.

Progress is rewarded with special features that are unlocked as you get to grips with the combat system.

Red Hot Rumble isn't going to change the way you play your video games, but it is fun - even if the tortuous PSP controls make extended playing a trying experience.

Fans will need no recommendation to discover that Viewtiful Joe on the PSP is a knockout.

SOCOM 3: US NAVY SEALS; Publisher: SCEE; Platform: PS2. Price: £29.99. Family friendly? 16+: Military simulations are hardly thin on the ground at the moment but Socom has become one of the most popular.

Literally millions of players have assumed control of America's answer to the Special Boat Service since the first game debuted on PS2 way back in 2002.

This three-quel sticks to the formula that made its predecessors so successful namely: modern-day scenarios, lots of action and meticulous attention to detail.

Visually, it looks great. The environments, which run the gamut from desert terrorist training camps to scary urban slums where death could lurk behind every darkened window, are brought to life with spectacular weather effects.

All your men look authentic, as does the military hardware. Explosions, gunshots and structural damage are all suitably spectacular.

There's hardly any background music, but that just makes the environmental effects all the more authentic. This really is a game that benefits from a good set of headphones or a surround-sound system because the positional audio gives you a split second warning about where the next attack may be coming from.

The game also makes good use of the PS2's dual shock pad, with a variety of context sensitive commands just a button press away. You can also take control of various vehicles, including the Humvee. If your vehicle has a gun, you can switch between driving and firing at will. Exciting stuff, although Halo fans can be forgiven if they are stifling yawns at this point.

Single player campaign mode drops a SOCOM team into various missions and sets them primary, secondary and bonus goals. The range of assignments is well thought out. Early on, the tasks are simple but they soon get tougher, so pay attention to how your characters interact.

I was feeling pretty jaded with this genre before SOCOM 3, but this game has rekindled my enthusiasm.