Super Stardust HD for the PS3 [via the PlayStation Network] is a fully updated version of the classic game Stardust. Your mission is simple: destroy everything in sight.

Twelve years have passed by. The times have been peaceful and prosperous in the home solar system. Not a single sign of evil penguin Professor Schaumund or his sinister forces have been detected. That is, of course, until today...

The Professor is back for the most ultimate revenge. You must defeat his forces and save your home solar system from total annihilation. Five planets are under attack. Your destiny is to save the home solar system, yet again.

With five highly detailed 3D planets to save, hordes of enemies and asteroids to destroy, and various game play modes, Super Stardust HD presents super intense action. [Sony]

GamerSquad can hear the Xbox 360 fanboys already, with venomous lines such as: "It’s Geometry Wars! Sony has blatantly ripped off Xbox Live Arcade’s Geometry Wars!" And the likes of: "Is Sony utterly incapable of producing anything remotely original without ripping off the competition?" Well whoa there, tiger, perhaps you’ve got Super Stardust HD all wrong. Although Geometry Wars clones are becoming evermore prevalent, maybe Super Stardust HD is actually different... and perhaps it's better than Geometry Wars.

Don’t want to believe that’s possible? Don’t take our word for it, let the critics be your guide.

Spend or Lend?

90% - EuroGamer - "In every other respect, Super Stardust HD is an absolute star, the jewel in the crown of the PlayStation Store and quite possibly the best purists' shooter to appear on console since the legendary Geometry Wars."

90% - 1UP - "So is Super Stardust HD better than "Geometry Wars"? That is something that will likely come down to personal preference. I happen to much prefer Super Stardust for its diversity of gameplay – multiple weapons, multiple stages, multiple ways to build up score – and its better graphical and aural presentation."

87% - IGN - "Addictively satisfying mechanics, great visuals and tactical yet simplistic design. In truth, and I say this as a heavy duty "Geometry Wars" player myself, Super Stardust HD is not only just as good as Bizarre Creation's it's in many ways better."

80% - Pro-G - "Graphically, as PSN games go, Super Stardust HD is superb, and it nicely combines the neon glow of Geometry Wars with the detailed retro pixel work of the first Stardust. The difficulty level is spot on, providing a challenge without causing a headache."

70% - GameSpot - "If you have room in your heart for yet another Robotron clone, Super Stardust HD is a good addition to this well-worn genre."

Verdict: Spend

Footage provided by GameTrailers.com.