The series might have been written off by many gamers after the lacklustre Driv3r, but in embracing the fantastic and relocating the series to San Francisco – arguably the spiritual home of the car chase – Ubisoft Reflections have re-acquired John Tanner's mojo, and his tires are well and truly smoking again.

As a whole, SFIII: 3rdS – OE is a celebration of a threequel that wasn't content to merely stand on the shoulders of the giant that preceded it and that in doing so delivered a fighting game that to this day feels incredibly vital.

As a whole, SFIII: 3rdS – OE is a celebration of a threequel that wasn't content to merely stand on the shoulders of the giant that preceded it and that in doing so delivered a fighting game that to this day feels incredibly vital.

At 800 Microsoft Points, some might turn their nose up at this Kinect-enabled version of the mobile favourite, but Fruit Ninja Kinect genuinely doesn't deserve such quick dismissal.

Should you find yourself with an abundance of MS points this summer and not much to play, you could still do worse than give this a whirl.

It may be time to close the saloon doors for good on this one – we've just witnessed the fall of Juarez.

Overall then Cars 2 is a loveable excursion into the world of Pixar. Built with all the efficiency and character that you'd expect from the movie studio's cinema work, it demonstrates that what may not work so well as a film (unless of course you are six, in which case Cars is the best thing ever) does just fine in the style of a knockabout children's action racer. Grown ups can play as well.

It's pure, ambitious, rewarding, challenging, surprisingly visceral, utterly engaging and proof positive that from even the basest of materials, genuine wonders can be wrought.

But ultimately Resident Evil The Mercenaries 3D, for all its combo streaks and rank awards and nods towards arcade addiction, can't quite shake off the feeling that it's a game that, like its predecessors, would have been more satisfying as a bonus mode, perhaps to the forthcoming Revelations (a brief demo for which is included here). Isolated and presented in the way it has been here, the limitations of Mercenaries are exposed.

Though it may have its faults, the vast majority of the content is a first-person shooter fan's wet dream, even if it doesn't deliver the kind of nightmares you may be hoping for.

Though it may have its faults, the vast majority of the content is a first-person shooter fan's wet dream, even if it doesn't deliver the kind of nightmares you may be hoping for.

As a free-roaming title intent on affording gamers the experience of a supercharged, structure-hopping badass, Infamous 2 succeeds in a variety of ways.

Dirt 3 is overall a thoroughly impressive beast, both creatively and technically that will surely please most fans of the series.

Dirt 3 is overall a thoroughly impressive beast, both creatively and technically that will surely please most fans of the series.

Dimensions is a consummate example of the handheld fighting game. It's packed with content (the highlight of which is a Chronicle mode which recaps stories from past DOA games), and brings back fond memories spent playing the Dead Or Alive games across previous generations.

Duke Nukem Forever is a strange enough novelty all on its own, but when all is said and done, it is a vastly aged shooter that is left trailing in the dust of its modern contemporaries.

Duke Nukem Forever is a strange enough novelty all on its own, but when all is said and done, it is a vastly aged shooter that is left trailing in the dust of its modern contemporaries.

The challenge/reward loop will simply not click for many, with the touch-screen controls being little more than a clunky irritant attached to a slow-paced and slightly directionless game.

If there's anything to take away from Lego Pirates of the Caribbean, it's that it represents a culmination of style of design that Traveller's Tales has been tweaking for years now, and does so in the most positive way possible. Every working part of the Lego series has been nigh-on perfected here, but if the formula has never won you over before, then not only will it fail to do so now, but it probably never will.

If there's anything to take away from Lego Pirates of the Caribbean, it's that it represents a culmination of style of design that Traveller's Tales has been tweaking for years now, and does so in the most positive way possible. Every working part of the Lego series has been nigh-on perfected here, but if the formula has never won you over before, then not only will it fail to do so now, but it probably never will.

If we were being super critical, L.A. Noire can feel a little repetitive – and slightly linear – at times.

If we were being super critical, L.A. Noire can feel a little repetitive – and slightly linear – at times.

With insipid art, painfully boring gameplay and a lack of any sense of professionalism or class, Star Raiders just can't come recommended to anyone, even to those with more time and money than they know what to do with.

It is frequently nail-biting but falls short of being consistently engrossing, but Codemasters have stayed true to their ethos of simulation – at the cost of spectacle – which is worth examining if you tire of being an one man army.

It is frequently nail-biting but falls short of being consistently engrossing, but Codemasters have stayed true to their ethos of simulation – at the cost of spectacle – which is worth examining if you tire of being an one man army.

Mortal Kombat is back and this time it's pulling no punches.

Mortal Kombat is back and this time it's pulling no punches.

While DodoGo! Robo may not do a great deal to expand on the ideas laid down by the original, it delivers a cheap, cheerful and challenging package that is more than worthy of a place on your DSi. It's a prime example of a simple premise being taking to a satisfying and engaging conclusion, and stands head and shoulders above most of its 200 DSi Point brethren. Extinction would be a cruel fate for this particular Dodo.

Something old, something new, something red and something blue, Outland stands as another fine example of how old-school platforming can be brought triumphantly into the modern era with tight gameplay and an interesting twist on an old staple.

Something old, something new, something red and something blue, Outland stands as another fine example of how old-school platforming can be brought triumphantly into the modern era with tight gameplay and an interesting twist on an old staple.

Sanctum of Slime is ultimately a missed opportunity that deserves to be missed.

Sanctum of Slime is ultimately a missed opportunity that deserves to be missed.

It's a game whose RPG-stylings will lend themselves well to super-powered speed runs many months from now, whose light touch and hidden depths could well create something of a cult following.

For underneath the rage of Mother Nature at the heart of Apocalypse lies a racing game whose visceral impact is almost unlike anything in the modern genre, an anarchic experience built on both arcade simplicity and technical complexity.

As a full-priced title, we simply can't recommend WWE All Stars at this point in time, though anyone that wants to throw caution to the wind and revel in the undeniable appeal of WWE's past and present colliding will still find plenty to justify their decision.

This is not COD with an afterthought of a campaign, nor is it Far Cry 2 with its open expanses and sand-box gameplay. It's not a corridor shooter like Doom and it isn't Battlefield or Killzone 3. This is Crysis 2 – a magnificent first-person experience in its own right that stands out from the crowd by focusing on a campaign that is wholly engaging, at times highly challenging and often truly memorable.

Even when it's at its most curiously punishing, Swarm is dexterous enough to reward those who put the time into learning its methods and also satisfies with the type of cartoon violence that makes for a very endearing and well-made game on the whole.

Even when it's at its most curiously punishing, Swarm is dexterous enough to reward those who put the time into learning its methods and also satisfies with the type of cartoon violence that makes for a very endearing and well-made game on the whole.

Yoostar 2's developer Blitz Games got it right by calling their game a 'movie karaoke' experience – and in all senses of the word, it truly is best defined this way. Having your bodily image projected into film and TV scenes is as charming as it tedious in practice. But more so than many other party games, the on-disc limitations of choice on offer as well as the brevity of each film's clips might spoil the experience for some.

Epic Yarn is a title for the player looking to be reminded what it's like to have the emotion of curiosity triggered by a videogame. A game cut from the finest Nintendo cloth.

In short, Monumental Games has done all the hard work – MotoGP 10/11 is genuinely deserving of a place alongside the cream of motorsport simulators; now all the series needs to do is pop open a magnum of Champagne and celebrate the sport just as confidently as it simulates it.

In short, Monumental Games has done all the hard work – MotoGP 10/11 is genuinely deserving of a place alongside the cream of motorsport simulators; now all the series needs to do is pop open a magnum of Champagne and celebrate the sport just as confidently as it simulates it.

This is an eight year old game and it shows, with frequent camera issues that rear their head at the most inopportune moments, but to be too critical would be to do the game a disservice given its charm.

With that being said, it's extremely difficult to complain too much about a game that is as pumped-up, gratifying and shameless as this and that features a skillshot-system with the potential to launch an entire franchise.

With that being said, it's extremely difficult to complain too much about a game that is as pumped-up, gratifying and shameless as this and that features a skillshot-system with the potential to launch an entire franchise.

For all the added modes and interaction, simply strapping yourself into the seat of a Bugatti Veyron and unleashing power on the asphalt roads to no pre-destined destination is what makes Unlimited 2 memorable.

For all the added modes and interaction, simply strapping yourself into the seat of a Bugatti Veyron and unleashing power on the asphalt roads to no pre-destined destination is what makes Unlimited 2 memorable.

As far as superhero showdowns go, you simply won't find anything more spectacular than Marvel Vs Capcom 3.

As far as superhero showdowns go, you simply won't find anything more spectacular than Marvel Vs Capcom 3.

It actually pains us to be so negative about De Blob 2, as there is plenty here to love or even adore. The visuals are sumptuous; the characterisation of Blob, his friends and the gloriously dastardly Inkies is nothing short of sublime. It is also consistently diverting, the problem being that it only rarely feels essential.

It actually pains us to be so negative about De Blob 2, as there is plenty here to love or even adore. The visuals are sumptuous; the characterisation of Blob, his friends and the gloriously dastardly Inkies is nothing short of sublime. It is also consistently diverting, the problem being that it only rarely feels essential.

Suitably, this notion serves as a separate allegory for Explodemon! as a whole - a very loving homage to its 8-bit heritage that modernizes the now 'retro' design approach for both the right cost and length.

So, there's enough of merit here to warrant a fourth outing, but Guerrilla will have to step up their game if Killzone is to be remembered as one of the truly great FPS series.

While Rearmed 2 may be misguided in trampling across its legacy in certain areas, it also makes successful winks to its heritage as well as – most importantly – providing a fun, robust experience.

While Rearmed 2 may be misguided in trampling across its legacy in certain areas, it also makes successful winks to its heritage as well as – most importantly – providing a fun, robust experience.

Our complaints might well fall on deaf ears though, because whilst Two Worlds II is no technical masterpiece (with clipping issues, horrific drops in frame rate, draw distance, screen tearing), the role-playing it contains is certainly entertaining and thoroughly engaging.

Like Limbo, Flower and Braid before it, Tales From Space: About A Blob is the type of release that makes you thankful for the existence of downloadable gaming and the freedom that it gives developers to create lean, punchy and engaging games that would have no doubt been doomed to obscurity had they been launched full-price at retail.

DC Universe Online is a bold, ambitious and challenging attempt to bring a subscription based MMO experience to the PlayStation 3.

With a collection of diverting though non-essential sports, your enjoyment of Mario Sport Mix will largely depend on the likelihood of constant multiplayer battles, though admittedly in that respect the title still pales in comparison to Wii Sports Resort and even the original Wii Sports.

Dead Space 2 is a great action adventure/survival horror game then – it just isn't necessarily the greatest game in the Dead Space series.

Dead Space 2 is a great action adventure/survival horror game then – it just isn't necessarily the greatest game in the Dead Space series.

Dead Space 2 is a great action adventure/survival horror game then – it just isn't necessarily the greatest game in the Dead Space series.

I can't recommend it enough if you can understand how unwieldy controls can actually make a racing game better. Otherwise, I suggest you stay away from Nail'd entirely, as its unintentional tendencies towards being completely off-the-wall will do nothing to appease your simulation sensibilities.

The level of polish that has been applied to LittleBigPlanet 2 is as apparent as we've come expect from the series, with no stone left unturned in upgrading each facet of the game's design.

Despite all the criticisms, and despite the fact that it pales in comparison to its bigger-budget competition, Breach isn't a complete disaster.

Astroslugs is a cute, playable, but sadly forgettable game.

As it stands, Ghost Mania is a diverting but non-essential 500 point purchase.

Assassin's Creed Brotherhood is a pleasant surprise in every respect, even though some of the concerns you might have had regarding the single map and ageing formula still stand with the final product.

Assassin's Creed Brotherhood is a pleasant surprise in every respect, even though some of the concerns you might have had regarding the single map and ageing formula still stand with the final product.

However, it is also hard to deny that Marvel Pinball is a wonderful homage to the Marvel Universe and the game of pinball itself, and if you have even the slightest interest in either, then there is a mountain of content here to recommend.

However, it is also hard to deny that Marvel Pinball is a wonderful homage to the Marvel Universe and the game of pinball itself, and if you have even the slightest interest in either, then there is a mountain of content here to recommend.

Thus, while it may be difficult to call Ivy The Kiwi? an innovative title, particularly because so much of the gameplay harks back to a five-year-old Nintendo DS near-launch title, Ivy's exploits are a breath of fresh air in today's gaming landscape.

Like Twin Peaks, it's as full of as many happy accidents and surreal edges as it is well-engineered shocks and hilarious moments, and while it can't ever hope to match the impact of Lynch's classic, those who take the ride will be rewarded.

Saw II outstays its welcome after a couple of hours and keeps on forcing the hackneyed plot on you when you want it all to end.

Saw II outstays its welcome after a couple of hours and keeps on forcing the hackneyed plot on you when you want it all to end.

Ultimately, Who's That Flying? is a spirited, enjoyable and interesting release that, while not quite managing to mine its central concept to its fullest, is nevertheless worthy of a place in your collection.

The simple fact is this is yet another high quality addition to a series that has rarely, if ever, disappointed, and is a rare example of a developer, franchise and games system working in near perfect synergy.

Just as it was with Super Stardust HD, with Dead Nation Housemarque has again proven that even the stalest of genres can be revitalised with the right execution…and the execution here is nothing short of deadly.

From its tired mid-1990s 'cool kid' chic and offensively putrid design; to the slipshod quality of control that consistently fails to map proper movements into the game's on-screen action, it's fair to say that Crossboard 7 is not the 'system seller' show-piece for Microsoft's intensively technical Kinect hardware, but more of a case study for developers to learn exactly what not to do with it.

The game exceeds our expectations in nearly all areas and certainly rates highly in our minds-own check-list of movie cash-ins.

The game exceeds our expectations in nearly all areas and certainly rates highly in our minds-own check-list of movie cash-ins.

The game exceeds our expectations in nearly all areas and certainly rates highly in our minds-own check-list of movie cash-ins.

As a game, Kung Fu LIVE is by no means a great one…in fact, it's barely even a good one –the technical demands and lack of immediacy in the controls can be frustrating, and underneath the technical showboating is a fighting game of the most rudimentary kind.

Dance Evolution is not necessarily a bad game – at the very least it's functional and as a progression for the Dance Dance Revolution series it's certainly heading in the right direction. Unfortunately, in light of quality offer by its main competitor – namely Dance Central – Dance Evolution's attempts come off as somewhat shallow in comparison and unless you have a particular yearning for the style of music and dance routines featured, Harmonix's take on motion-dancing is a far safer bet.

If you're looking for a slice of science-fiction heaven that injects the gameplay of Gears of War with a crazy dose of speed, then you won't do much better than Vanquish.

If you're looking for a slice of science-fiction heaven that injects the gameplay of Gears of War with a crazy dose of speed, then you won't do much better than Vanquish.

To be more succinct, Fable III is a beautiful mess, and for a game that attempts to capture the complexities of what it means to be human, maybe that's entirely fitting.

Still nobody does this better than Harmonix, and with Rock Band 3 they are at the top of their game.

Still nobody does this better than Harmonix, and with Rock Band 3 they are at the top of their game.

Obsidian had an admirable chance to re-define the Fallout experience but have really failed to enrapture our passions for the series. More of the same? Yes. But ultimately unlikely to be remembered as fondly as the third in the Fallout cannon.

Obsidian had an admirable chance to re-define the Fallout experience but have really failed to enrapture our passions for the series. More of the same? Yes. But ultimately unlikely to be remembered as fondly as the third in the Fallout cannon.

Obsidian had an admirable chance to re-define the Fallout experience but have really failed to enrapture our passions for the series. More of the same? Yes. But ultimately unlikely to be remembered as fondly as the third in the Fallout cannon.

Overall, Def Jam Rapstar is an excellent entry to the rap karaoke genre and goes some way to achieving what fans would have been wanting from the game. With a little bit more fine tuning here and there, Def Jam Rapstar has the potential to be a very serious contender within the music game market.

Overall, Def Jam Rapstar is an excellent entry to the rap karaoke genre and goes some way to achieving what fans would have been wanting from the game. With a little bit more fine tuning here and there, Def Jam Rapstar has the potential to be a very serious contender within the music game market.

What it does manage, however, is to not only demonstrate the Wii as a serious first person platform – a well overdue achievement – but sits alongside the likes of the Call Of Duty franchise as being one of the top shooters available on any console.

Ultimately, there is little doubt that Black Ops will sate the hunger of those simply wanting more Call of Duty, but beyond that it seem unlikely that it will broaden the palettes of gamers or indeed the genre; and for such a big budget, high profile release, we can't help but feel a little disappointed with that.

Ultimately, there is little doubt that Black Ops will sate the hunger of those simply wanting more Call of Duty, but beyond that it seem unlikely that it will broaden the palettes of gamers or indeed the genre; and for such a big budget, high profile release, we can't help but feel a little disappointed with that.

Ultimately, there is little doubt that Black Ops will sate the hunger of those simply wanting more Call of Duty, but beyond that it seem unlikely that it will broaden the palettes of gamers or indeed the genre; and for such a big budget, high profile release, we can't help but feel a little disappointed with that.