Grand Theft Auto IV

Rockstar/Xbox 360, PS3, PC (£34.99-£49.99, 18+)

The final episodes of GTA IV — The Lost and the Damned/The Ballad of Gay Tony — both available as separate downloads, are here released on one disc. Each plays like a complete game in its own right, with only the setting of Liberty City remaining constant. The second game is new and introduces us to a lighter side of the city, a world of bright lights and garish nightclubs. You play as Luis, the henchman to the nightclub owner Gay Tony, who’s got himself into a bit of bother with the Mafia. As ever with GTA, the choice of how you play the game is yours. You can complete the missions and nothing else, or you can take the time to wander the streets and make a nuisance of yourself. The more psychotically inclined will welcome the addition of new weapons, while those who relish a bit of gameplay might enjoy the skydiving challenges. Colourful characters such as Yusuf Amir, impeccably voiced by the comedian Omid Djalili, abound, and though the challenges can be steep, there’s enough interest in the storyline and the extraordinarily detailed city backdrop to keep you coming back for more. Nigel Kendall

Fairytale Fights

Play Logic/PS3, Xbox 360 (£39.99, 16+)

In a magical kingdom, you play one of four fairytale characters including Snow White. Everything in this lovely land looks as though it’s made of marzipan. Except for the blood, that is. This is one of the goriest games I’ve played. While all of the characters are super cute, they also hack each other up with anything from carrots to meat cleavers. The basic “get to the end of the level and fight a boss” gameplay is nothing new, but it’s elevated by the four-player co-op play, the gorgeous graphics and laugh-out-loud fun. David Hutchinson

Squeeballs Party

PDP/Wii (£29.99. 7+)

The Squeeballs are an odd-looking bunch of cuddly toys, manufactured on a secret island. Before they can be shipped to toy stores around the globe, it’s up to you to test them to the point of destruction via a series of mini games. These all involve some form of cartoon destruction of the cute Squeeballs, but it’s done in a comical way that plays for laughs rather than tears. “Cooking”, in which you chop, fry and mince the Squeeballs, is particularly enjoyable. Perfect if you are looking for fun rather than intense competition. DH

Tekken 6

Namco/PS3, Xbox 360 (£49.99, 16+)

Street Fighter may be the best-known fighting game, but it isn’t the only brawler on the block. As a series that started 15 years ago, Tekken has a fan base of equal fervour. With 40 fighters ranging from wooden dolls to tiger-headed brutes, there is a huge range of combat styles in Tekken 6. The moves are faithful to previous incarnations, so if you are a seasoned pro you’ll feel at home. What’s new is a campaign mode, where you fight through each level by beating several foes before meeting an end- of-level boss. The campaign mode is terrible. The controls don’t work and it’s more of an exercise in repetition than skill. The arcade fighting is where it lives up to its reputation as a game of nimble-fingered fun. Overall, the graphics are good but not amazing, the fighting fun but nothing new. If you are a Tekken fan, you’ll love it; otherwise, save your money to fight another day. DH