Sam Fisher, the covert agent who makes Solid Snake look like Basildon Bond, is back in Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, the all-new sequel to the 2003 hit. Once again it's down to Fisher alone to rid the world of terrorists and various other enemies of Uncle Sam.

At first glance Pandora Tomorrow looks pretty much identical to its predecessor—which is to say it's one of the most graphically impressive video games ever made, with a particularly nice line in atmospheric lighting and insanely detailed environments. It's true that in straight gameplay terms things haven't changed very much, although there has been a concerted effort to make things less linear this time around—which was one of the main complaints levelled against the first game. Now though, there are multiple solutions to almost every situation you find yourself in, and this isn't limited merely to a simple choice between wading in guns blazing or sitting in a corner for 10 minutes being stealthly.

There are also a few new moves and gadgets to play with but probably the most important new feature for Pandora Tomorrow is the multi-player mode. This is no simplistic death-match mode but instead pits spies (using the single-player game's standard third-person viewpoint) against mercenaries (using a more traditional first-person view) where the completely different abilities and weapons of each team makes for some highly engaging and inventive action. This immediately stops Pandora Tomorrow from being yet another mission disc sequel and alone justifies the price of admission. —David Jenkins

Mario and Luigi are enjoying a lazy afternoon at their house when they hear the terrible news: Princess Peach has been kidnapped! The two brothers head straight for Bowser's castle to get her back, but Bowser is just as surprised about Peach's kidnapping as they are. At that moment, a strange top-hatted villain warps in and abducts everyone but Mario. The mysterious villain then forces Peach and Bowser to get married, creating a rift of dark energy that threatens to tear the universe apart. Only Mario can save the day ... but he can't do it alone.The newest chapter of the Paper Mario story isn't just out of this world ... it's out of this dimension. What at first glance appears to be a 2-D side-scroller ripped straight from the stylized pages of the Paper Mario universe soon turns into a hilarious dimension-shifting platformer possible only on Wii.

In a nutshell:
The Metroid Prime trilogy comes to an end on the Wii, using not just the console’s improved graphical abilities but also the full range of the controller’s features. Half first person shooter, half Zelda style Sci-Fi adventure this is destined to be one of the best games of the next generation.

The lowdown:
The Wii remote and nunchuck have what seems like an infinite range of functions but of all the games shown so far this is the only one that seems to use every single one. Although there is still a lock-on option for attacking enemies you can now play the game more like a first person shoot ‘em-up as you target enemies instantly, just by pointing with the Wii remote. All of the buttons, including the D-pad, are used to access Samus's various abilities, which are added to with new uses for the grappling hook. This now works like a whip, allowing you to nab enemy shields by simply flicking the nunchuck (which also has a motion sensor in it) forward.

Most exciting moment:
The best bit of the lengthy E3 demo is an amazing boss fight with regular series villain Ridley, as you both fall through a giant energy shaft. Not only do you have to dodge his attacks but you have to beat him before you both end up splatted at the bottom of the shaft.

Since you ask:
The game’s graphics are noticeably improved from the GameCube titles, with much more detailed enemies and much larger game areas. There’s also a lot more enemies onscreen at once, as well as apparently friendly fellow bounty hunters.

The bottom line:
The legendary series evolves again, with the best use of the Wii’s controller yet.
HARRISON DENT

In a nutshell:
Splinter Cell returns with an all-new story of double-dealing terrorists and uncomfortable moral decisions. Its greatest new feature though is its multiplayer, which continues to expand into the definitive online stealth experience.

The lowdown:
You can only imagine that Sam Fisher must get a good pension, because he doesn't seem to have an easy life. This time his role as a double agent in a terrorist group forces him to constantly make difficult moral choices, from big set piece decisions on whether to execute hostages to simple choices in-game such as whether to help out civilians. Although there are few significant changes to the controls this time around, for once most of the game doesn't take place in the dark. Stealth is still paramount though, especially since two onscreen trust meters track whether you're still in favour with both the terrorists and the NSA. The terrorist base also acts as a sort of hub world which you keep returning to between missions and slowly explore and unlock as the game's story unfurls.

Most exciting moment:
The expanded Spies vs. Mercenaries multiplayer game now has even less connection to the single player campaign, with the spies using only hand-to-hand combat and moving much faster than Sam Fisher. It now supports a total of six players at once and is one of the few online action games to offer a genuine alternative to the normal first person deathmatches.

Since you ask:
The next Splinter Cell game is subtitled Conviction and is due out some time next year. Controversially it has been announced as an Xbox 360 and PC exclusive only, with no PlayStation 3 or Wii versions currently scheduled.

The bottom line:
The best Splinter Cell yet, particularly in multiplayer mode.-HARRISON DENT

Make sure you put your foot down and go go go, in the next instalment in the iconic Mario Kart series. Mario and all of his much loved pals are planning to make a spectacular return in this definitive version of Mario Kart, providing the most action packed racing fun in the series. Mario Kart Wii will come bundled with a new and intuitive accessory ? the Wii Wheel which makes it one of the most accessible Mario Kart games to date and will allow even complete novices to compete on this title. For those more familiar on the Mario Kart series, Nintendo have covered all the bases with this title by offering five different control options: Wii Wheel, Wii Remote turned on side, Wii remote and nunchuck, classic controller and even the the Nintendo Gamecube controller, these variety of control options mean Mario Kart can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of there experience or level. Mario Kart Wii combines all the much-loved features from the series, and much more. Mario Kart Wii will serve up a whole new host of stunning new tracks, characters, weapons, and vehicles. If you are looking for world ranking domination you can take on up to 11 players simultaneously world wide using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service which will offer you the chance to race other players across the globe in a nail-biting contest of speed and skil! If you prefer to keep the rivalry a little closer to home? Try the multiplayer mode, in which up to 4 people will be able to challenge each other in the comfort of their own living room.

The ultimate Nintendo hero is taking the ultimate step ? out into space. Join Mario as he ushers in a new era of video games, defying gravity across all the planets in the galaxy. Features: Shake, tilt and point! Mario takes advantage of all the unique aspects of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller, unleashing new moves as players shake the controller and even point at and drag items with the pointer. Mario essentially defined the 3-D platforming genre with Super Mario® 64, and this game proves once again that he is king. Players perform mind-bending, lowgravity jumps across wild alien terrain as they experience platforming for a new generation.

In a nutshell:
Lara Croft is finally back in the first game to do her legacy justice since the days of the original PlayStation. With updated graphics and gameplay and a whole new suite of moves and equipment this is the sequel fans have always demanded.

The lowdown:
After the disappointment of Angel of Darkness the Tomb Raider series has gone back to basics with a new developer and even a new Lara. Combat is back to being only around a third of the game with everything else centred on platform jumping and puzzle solving. To help this there’s a canny new movement system that allows Lara to jump onto and grab objects at an angle, so there’s none of the awkward grid based movement of the earlier games. This is also the first Tomb Raider to have a proper psychics engine, with lots of the puzzles revolving around movement and the use of Lara’s natty new magnetic grappling hook. The graphics are also excellent and with input from the original creator this in a long awaited return to form.

Most exciting moment:
The realisation that this is actually a proper update of the original game, as Lara leaps around cliffs like a mountain goat with graphics and controls that aren’t still stuck in 1996.

Since you ask:
The new voice of Lara is provided by Keeley Hawes, who also plays Zoe Reynolds in BBC TV show Spooks.

The bottom line:
Lara Croft is back in the first decent new Tomb Raider game for a long time.
HARRISON DENT

LostWinds™ is an enchanting adventure bursting with new gameplay ideas that embrace the innovative controller of the Wii™ - it puts “the power of the wind in the palm of your hand”.
You wield the awesome powers of Enril the wind spirit - from raging tornados to the gentlest breeze – to guide and protect Toku, a young boy who is the only one who can help you release the curse placed upon the world of Mistralis by evil Balasar. Mistralis is a stunningly presented, magical land full of wonder and intrigue that bursts to life with your every action and exploration.
The game’s novel, playful control mechanism lets you use Enril’s elemental powers to help Toku in your quest to overcome Balasar – powering his jumps and glides through Mistralis’ different regions, buffeting and smashing enemies, and solving puzzles.

No matter what your gaming experience Nintendo has just the game for you to play with your friends and family. Wii Play consists of a selection of nine very different mini-games on one game, which are designed to help you master the unique Wii Remote, whilst also providing hours of entertainment. To ensure you can enjoy Wii Play with your friends, the game comes bundled with a free Wii Remote. Wii Play consists of a variety of quirky games that can be played either alone or with a friend. This includes Shooting Range, which is the first game unlocked and is reminiscent of the classic Duck Hunt (released on the NES). In order to unlock the next game the player simply needs to complete the previous one (this sequence continues throughout). When all of the games have been unlocked players can start earning medals for their performance. Find Mii involves picking the right face out of a crowd in an environment that constantly changes - it?s a race against the clock and each other! Pose Mii requires players to make their Mii characters fit into the shapes in the Wii bubbles. To do this they must swing the remote to the right angle to make it fit inside. The psychedelic colours and quirky graphics involved in this puzzle make it instantly addictive. Other games included are Charge, where players have to hold onto a rampaging bull and try not to fall off! Players steer their bull and make it jump by moving the Wii Remote in the right direction, attempting to knock over scarecrows on the way. Tanks, which also makes use of the Nunchuk controller, tests a player?s strategic skills encouraging them to leave trails of mines for other tanks to stumble across. Wii Play also features faithful recreations of real sport games demanding precision and skill with the Wii Remote. In Table Tennis players hold the Wii Remote like a bat and use it to move their on-screen character?s hand and return balls. In Fishing players cast their line with similar moves as