If you own a collection of PlayStation games, you might be puzzled why they don't run on an ordinary computer.

Well now they very nearly do thanks to a clever piece of software from Connectix called Virtual Game Station.

Virtual Game Station runs on PC and Mac OS and allows the user to choose what controller they want to use.

The software works with standard keyboards and many game pads and joysticks.

Not all games play well on Virtual Game Station and some don't play at all.

But the unit does come with a list of recommended games that have been tried and tested by the Connectix boffins.

We tried it out with Medievil II from Sony and found the controls slightly tricky to get to grips with but the functionality was definitely all there.

The soundtrack was excellent but the graphics were not quite what Mr Sony had in mind.

The game was reasonably playable using Virtual Game Station and a PC keyboard.

Once we had got to grips with substituting letters for console buttons, the characters moved around in the same way as they would if controlled by a PlayStation handset.

I felt this application worked well as a cost-cutting compromise but a dyed-in-the-wool PlayStation aficionado would almost certainly turn their nose up in disgust.

Price: £35
Contact: 0208 358 5857
Feelgood factor: 6 out of 10