Games: let's play

Sing, dance, drive like a maniac, infiltrate a band of international criminals and play with a hippo. Ciara O'Brienon the best games of the season

LIPS
Xbox 360 ****
Until recently, Xbox 360 owners could only watch jealously as PlayStation fans drove their neighbours mental on Saturday nights with tuneless wailing to SingStar. Now the balance has been redressed with the launch of Lips, Microsoft's very own karaoke game. Grab a wireless motion-sensitive microphone and you are ready to warble along to Radiohead, The Proclaimers and (the shame) Geri Halliwell in single player, co-op or versus modes. You can download extra tunes from Xbox Live or use your own DRM-free music, thus neatly circumventing any arguments over who gets stuck singing Umbrellaby Rhianna.

GEARS OF WAR 2
Xbox 360 ****
It's been two years since Gears of Warwas released, and the follow-up, set six months later, was certainly worth the wait. There's a new Locust threat on the horizon - or, to be more precise, coming from below. The last cities on Sera are in jeopardy, the enemy has discovered a way to sink entire cities. Marcus Fenix and the rest of the Delta Squad pursue the Locust, while Dominic Santiago's story includes clues to the fate of his wife Maria. Gears of War 2takes all the good bits of the original and tweaks them, adding new weapons and features, such as chainsaw duels, and the ability to use your fallen enemies as a human shield. Another hit for Microsoft.

FAR CRY 2
PlayStation3, Xbox 360, PC ****
Corrupt warlords, breathtaking African landscape, hours of gameplay: Far Cry 2has it all. You take the role of a gun for hire dealing with warring factions in a fictional African state. Your target is the Jackal, the mysterious character responsible for reigniting the tensions between the warlords. But Far Cry 2's strength isn't its story - that's probably the weakest element. Realistic environments and effects are teamed with polished graphics, creating a stunning spectacle. The freedom is amazing. You aren't tied to a specific script so you can approach each mission a number of ways. Prepare to spend hours on this one.

LITTLE BIG PLANET
PlayStation 3 ****
Little Big Planetis a bit of a strange one. Instead of a strictly controlled game environment created by developers, LBP allows you to create your own virtual space, combining a platform game with user-generated worlds. Gamers control small avatars, known as Sackboys, through several pre-built levels. Or they can choose to build new levels and objects and share them with the wider community. Almost everything is customisable, down to the individual's Sackboy, giving players ultimate control over their game. The story mode is a little too brief, but the creative aspects of the game will keep you coming back. Imagination gone wild.

WII MUSIC
Wii ***
The beauty of the Wii is that it appeals to everyone - young, old, committed gamer, casual player - provided you are willing to make yourself look slightly daft in the name of fun. In Wii Music, players use the Wiimote as 60 imaginary instruments, from guitars and horns to piano and flute. A good idea is let down by slightly buggy gameplay that can leave you frustrated when the Wii doesn't register your movements. The music you get to play along to is also somewhat suspect - the "contemporary" tracks include Material Girland Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. For dedicated Wii or music fans.

GUITAR HERO WORLD TOUR
Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 ****
Guitar Herohas gathered quite a following since its launch, though Rock Bandhas tried to steal some of its thunder. World Touris Guitar Hero's way of hitting back, and it looks like a battle of the bands could be in the offing. The latest title includes drums and best of all, lets players sing along. Play solo or as a band with friends. Song choices are varied, from Rebel Yellto No Sleep Til Brooklyn. You can even create your own with the new music studio, or download tunes from other players.

MADAGASCAR 2
Nintendo DS (also available on Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 3, PC, PlayStation 2, PSP) **
With the film in the cinemas, the game couldn't be far behind. Madagascar 2has a whiff of "cash-in" about it. The title is most suitable for Nintendo DS's younger audience. Familiar characters, a weak plot, and a standard quest-based game. You take on the role of one of the four main characters in each level: Marty the Zebra, Alex the Lion, Melman the Giraffe, and Gloria the Hippo. Each has their own abilities, and each level is built with a specific character in mind. A bit mindless, but distracting enough to kill some time.

GRAND THEFT AUTO IV
PC *****
Already a hit with console gamers, Grand Theft Auto IVhas finally made it on to the PC with a few bells and whistles added. The storyline is the same: you take on the role of Eastern European immigrant Nico Bellic, fresh to Liberty City, to help out your hapless cousin. The missions - a mixture of driving levels and action assignments that take you in and around Liberty City - are the same, with a few extras thrown in. The controversial series looks even better on the PC, with graphics ramped up and polished, and extra functions such as an editing suite for replays. Worth a revisit, even for dedicated console gamers.

FOOTBALL MANAGER 2009
PC, Mac (also available on PSP) ****
Football simulators are like marmite: you either love them or hate them. But if you're into the stuff, Football Manager 2009 isup there with the best. The game adds several new features that set it apart from its predecessors, including the ability to choose between male and female managers, better interaction with the assistant manager, and press conferences to add that extra bit of realism. The most notable, though, is the 3D match engine, which brings a whole new level of immersion to Football Manager 2009. Simulators have never been so real.

NEED FOR SPEED UNDERCOVER
Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, Wii, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PC, iPhone, mobile ***
Need for Speedhas been a successful franchise for EA. Although it has gone off the boil a little in terms of new and exciting gameplay features, Undercoverlooks like it could be a return to excellence. In Undercover, you are both the hunter and the hunted. Driving fast isn't enough this time; you also have to infiltrate and bring down an international crime syndicate. Proving you are trustworthy enough to gain access to the higher echelons of the criminal underworld will take some nifty driving. High octane and thrilling.