I managed to land a job in Tokyo and decided that this would be the perfect opportunity to play all the videogames, read all the mangas and watch the newest anime before any other sucker in the west. Take that, capitalist pigs! I saved up for a PS2 to get myself as an early Christmas present. However, stupidly I had forgotten that things in Japan are in Japanese meaning the intricate story I had heard about in Soul Reaver II was lost on me. Also, Tekken Tag moved that little bit faster in 60Hz meaning having to relearn the patterns for ten-hit combos (and re-relearn them on my return to England). Thankfully Silent Hill 2 saved the day with a full translation and a home version of Taiko Drum Master was absolute gaming bliss. Don-Don-Ga-Don!

As an aside, it is worth noting the arcades in Tokyo, which are dimly-lit, slightly musty-smelling gaming meccas with entire floors devoted to a single game. The electricity consumption of those places must be colossal. There are banks of Gundam machines piloted by twitching japanese teenagers, their faces gently illuminated and their brains silently melting. Also, there are loads of dirt cheap retro titles, I even found an old arkanoid machine but didn't play it because a spikey haired youth was sat in the seat watching his mate play Virtua Fighter 4. I like to think I let him have it - "Go on son, just this once."

Then came a return to blighty where I discovered I was miles behind in western gaming and it was a blessing in disguise. I could pick up all those titles I had missed and it has proved to be a saver on the wallet. I quickly purchased a PS2 with GTA: Vice City, Deus Ex and Herdy Gerdy. I went shooter crazy and blasted through Half Life, Red Faction, Psi-Ops, Destroy All Humans, The Thing and piles of others. However, the standout titles were those released during the autumn of the PS2's life: Shadow of the Colossus, God of War and Okami were all great experiences and had real atmosphere attached to them.

Once I saw the reviews for Resident Evil 4, I knew I had to buy a Gamecube. When I eventually got my secondhand 'Cube home it smelt a bit like a tramp but that didn't bother me as I could finally play the game I been anticipating more than that £45 copy of Battletoads. It didn't disappoint and was so atmospheric that even now the sound of a chainsaw makes me look around for bag-headed lunatics. Killer7 was another highlight and for those that have played it through, I am sure that Greensleeves will never be the same again.

Last year, I received an X-Box and a copy of Ninja Gaiden: Black. I will not list the foul language and disgraceful cursing that accompanied me slogging through this game. I almost poked my own eyes out in frustration and had several toddler-esque temper tantrums, but when I finally slayed the last boss (accompanied buy a jubilant swear-fest) it was all worth it. Special mentions also go to Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath, Far Cry and the hilariously funny Stubbs the Zombie.

That is the story so far. I have still to dip my toes into the new generation of consoles as there is still so much from the last one and the one before that. I recently finished laughing with Abe in Abe's Exoddus and tearing my hair out at the puzzles in Fear Effect 2 and am looking forward to the event that was Half Life 2. Being a bit behind the times ain't so bad.

Lee