Microsoft has today announced the launch of the Platinum Hits range of Xbox games. The games will be sold in silver packaging and will retail for an estimated price of just $19.99. To qualify for the range, games must have achieved a high sales volume, although it's worth noting that this doesn't necessarily mean that every game in the range represents good value for money--as our review scores illustrate.

　　"The Platinum Hits program will drive increased interest in Xbox and broaden the target audience," said Wayne Yodzio, vice president and world manager at Toys "R" Us. "These games are all already proven winners that have sold well, and when we start offering them in our stores at this lower price point, I anticipate we'll have our aisles filled with a lot of very happy gamers."

　　The 16 games available in the range at launch are as follows: Game Name / GameSpot Review Score

　　Amped: Freestyle Snowboarding / 6.7

　　Blood Wake / 7.9

　　Crash Bandicoot: The Wrath of Cortex / 6.4

　　James Bond 007 in Agent Under Fire / 6.8

　　Max Payne / 9.2

　　Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee / 7.9

　　Project Gotham Racing / 8.1

　　Rallisport Challenge / 9.1

　　Silent Hill 2: Restless Dreams / 7.9

　　Simpsons Road Rage / 6.2

　　Spy Hunter / 6.7

　　SSX Tricky / 8.8

　　Star Wars: Obi-Wan / 4.6

　　Star Wars: Starfighter Special Edition / 7.2

　　Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 / 9.6

　　Wreckless: The Yakuza Missions / 6.8

　　The first Platinum Hits games are available now, and Microsoft has stated that the range will be added to on an ongoing basis.