Heads-up: What's new this week

A look ahead to Friday's new releases.

Welcome to Heads-up, Pro-G's weekly feature which gives you an at-a-glance run-down on the games you'll be able to buy or rent this weekend. Every Tuesday we'll pick out the best of the bunch, link to our reviews and previews and keep you in the video game loop so you have enough time to pre-order for Friday's post. Time to splash the cash.

In Europe games don't come much bigger than PES. No longer concerning itself with beating FIFA to retail, PES 2008 will arrive a full month later than FIFA 08 and because of its huge fan base will surely sell out almost immediately. But is this year's iteration worth investing in? We're promised improved AI, more licensed players and, for the first time on next-gen systems, player and team editing. It all sounds great on paper, but the proof is in the playing.

Much was made of the exclusivity SEGA provided the PS3 with the release of Virtua Fighter 5. It was certainly a solid title to boast to Xbox 360 owners, but come Friday the shoe will be firmly on the other foot. Not only does the Xbox 360 version boast marginally improved visuals, but also full online functionality which promises to extend the life-span of the game indefinitely. Look out for a review later this week.

Another week, another FPS I hear you cry, but Clive Barker's Jericho from Codemasters looks to bring something a little different to the genre. With a heavy dose of horror from one of the genre's leading minds, players are thrust into a unique squad-based shooter, featuring impressive visuals, unique magical abilities and plenty of scares. There's no multiplayer though, so that's worth bearing in mind when deciding where best to spend your money.

Video gaming is often criticised for relying on tried and tested concepts, but this can't be said of Sony's latest PS3 game, The Eye of Judgement. On the surface this is your typical playing card battler, but has been transformed into something of a curiosity through novel use of the PlayStation Eye camera. Players place a card onto a playing surface and after being scanned by the camera creates an in-game character in front of your eyes. It's too early to tell if the game is more than a mere gimmick, but Sony certainly believes in its game and is planning to release further card packs in the future.

Last but not least comes Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, a much needed ray of sunshine for many a dust-covered Wii. There are no gimmicks, silly mini-games or movie licenses, just cold, hard gameplay. MP3 is easily one of the strongest games on the Wii and for gamers crying out more adult experiences, the likes of which have been few and far between on Wii, it's a must buy.

Also new this week:
Tomb Raider Anniversary (Xbox 360, PSP)
Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights (PS3)
Singstar R&B (PS2)
The Witcher (PC)
NBA Live 08 (Wii, PC, PSP)
Dead Head Fred (PSP)
The Sims 2 Castaway (PS2, DS, Wii)
S.W.A.T Target liberty (PSP)
Moto GP 07 (PlayStation 2)
World Snooker Championship: Season 2007/08(DS)
Call of Duty 3 Classics (Xbox 360)
Zoo Tycoon 2: Extinct Animals (PC)
Avatar: The Burning Earth (Wii, PS2, DS)
Escape from Bug Island (Wii)
Chegger's Party Quiz (PS2)
Alan Hansen Sport Challenge (PlayStation 2)
Pippa Funnell 2: Ranch Rescue (PS2)
Fury (PC)
Escape From Paradise City (PC)
Freak Out: Extreme Freeride (PSP)
Big Catch - Bass Fishing (Wii, DS)
The Bigs (Wii)
Monster Trux: Arenas (Wii)