Sega Mega Drive: Ultimate Collection
PS3, Xbox 360
When I first saw this repackaged clutch of classic Sega games, I gave a hollow laugh. Who would buy this when there were so many retro delights on XLA and PSN?
But then I did the maths and worked out that you get 40 titles for your hard-earned money, which works out much cheaper than chucking away your cash/ Microsoft points.
From Altered Beast to six Sonic games, Golden Axes galore to stacks of Streets of Rage, this is a bumper bargain bundle.
Halo Wars
Xbox 360
Created by the makers of Age of Empires, Halo Wars is a very different beast from the holy trinity of Halo games that have gone before.
This is a classic RTS title, pure and simple.
Sure, it takes its cues from the Halo mythology and features all your favourite foes and heroes from the trilogy, but managing your base is by far the most important factor, rather than getting ready to rumble in myriad melees.
This game elegantly uses the Halo universe to take the series in a bold new direction.
50 Cent: Blood On The Sand
PS3, Xbox 360
It's important to leave your cynicism at the door if you're going to get very far with 50 Cent's latest video game outing.
That's because this title is patently ludicrous from the outset. Fiddy is on a mission to wrestle a skull made of diamonds out of the clutches of a local criminal gang.
High-octane explosions, wailing klaxons and waves of terrorists abound, but the core gameplay is strangely reminiscent of Gears of War, thanks to face-paced action and rollicking combat. - Rebecca Armstrong, The Independent
Cuboid
PS3
The object of Cuboid is to manoeuvre a rectangular brick (actually, two cubes glued together) through a two-dimensional maze.
Sounds simple, but one key restriction - you can only move the cuboid by flipping it on to its side - makes each puzzle much more difficult than it originally appears.
As the game progresses, you'll confront new obstacles, like switches, drawbridges and panels that can't bear the full weight of the cuboid.
Some mazes seem impossible until you stumble across that "Aha!" moment, which is the most satisfying experience you can ask for from a puzzle game.
Magic Ball
PS3
You know the old Arkanoid formula, in which you use a paddle and ball to clear a screen full of obstacles?
That's the essence of Magic Ball, but the simple bricks of the original have been replaced with animated figures.
In a nautical-themed level, for example, you may have to knock out pirates and sharks.
You can also juice up your attack with nifty power-ups, like cannons and meteors.
Magic Ball doesn't break new ground, but it's the liveliest, most colourful Arkanoid knock-off yet. - Lou Kesten, Sapa-AP