Heads-up: New games out this week

A look ahead to Friday's new releases.

Welcome to Heads-up, our 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 Monday 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.

Recommended: Driver: San Francisco - Xbox 360 and PS3

Driver San Francisco was originally due months earlier than we've got it, but the wait has been worth it. While seeming a little bit gimmicky at first, the unique Shift mechanic that lets Tanner body-hop sets this apart from the competition. Ubisoft Reflections has made one of the most fun open-city racing games around and packed in some brilliant multiplayer game modes.

Worth a look

Madden hits stores this week, and again will only appeal to a small number of Brits. Still, the game has been well received by critics, so if American Football is your thing you'll be in heaven. Elsewhere The Sims Medieval gets in on the expansion pack fun the series is known for, while Codemasters finally releases the explosive if somewhat lacking-in-hype FPS Bodycount. Finally we've got the quirky looking Champion Jockey which has Kinect and PlayStation Move support.

• Madden NFL 12 - Xbox 360 and PS3
• The Sims Medieval: Pirates & Nobles (Expansion Pack) - PC
• Bodycount - Xbox 360 and PS3
• Champion Jockey - Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii

And the rest...

• We Dance - Wii