What is it? 'Augmented reality' fighting game, where you stick your head on a virtual brawler, then watch them fight their enemies on the top of your coffee mug.

Why you'll want it: It's a great showcase, if a pricey one, of the unique capabilities of the new Sony PS Vita handheld. OK, so the 3DS and smartphones can do augmented reality gaming too - but not with this level of graphics.

Get it: 22 February, PS Vita

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Sony Computer Entertainment

What is it? The return of the dark and grown-up first-person shooter, with you playing a tortured mob boss with demonic 'Darkness' powers.

Why you'll want it: It's a real change from the usual shooter suspects. Firstly, the cel-shaded visuals. Secondly, the ability to 'quad-wield' two Darkness powers and two guns, with the Darkness powers allowing you to tear up the environment, particularly if you're in shadow. Thirdly, a darker and more adult-oriented storyline that's more downbeat then the usual Modern Warfare hokum.

Get it: 10 February, PC, PS3, Xbox 360

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2K Games

What is it? The classic 'cyberpunk' dark future setting of the old-school squad strategy game is rebooted as a visceral first-person shooter, with added hacking powers thrown in for good measure.

Why you'll want it: The original Syndicate strategy series remains much loved for its cynical and violent take on corporate warfare. The reboot uses the same background, the high-tech weaponry and hacking adds a nice twist to shooters and the game is being developed by the excellent Starbreeze (who made The Chronicles Of Riddick and the original The Darkness).

Get it: 24 February, PC, PS3, Xbox 360

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EA

What is it? A bizarre mix of platform puzzler and relationship adventure. Risqué, complex, emotionally resonant? Catherine is certainly one of the oddest games you're likely to see this year.

Why you'll want it: Because it's downright peculiar. Tormented between the saucy Catherine and the straight-laced Katherine, you'll have to make far-reaching choices about the nature of love, commitment and lust. It's a grown-up game, with grown-up themes - witty, smutty and smart.

Get it: 10 February, PS3, Xbox 360

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Deep Silver

What is it? Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3, as well as Peace Walker, redone with high-definition visuals and improved sound. And the original MSX games thrown in to boot. It's a stealth-action extravaganza (although where's the original Metal Gear Solid?!).

Why you'll want it: If you played these classic games the first time round, it's a great opportunity to own them, with improved visuals, and without having to hang on to old consoles. If you didn't get them first time round, they're absolutely epic, cracking examples of stealth action and insanely complex plotting combined.

Get it: 3 February, PS3, Xbox 360

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Konami

What is it? The reception for the last game in the epic Japanese role-playing series, Final Fantasy XIII, wasn't exactly rapturous. So this sequel tries to put all the stuff right that fans of the series were upset by.

Why you'll want it: Because it keeps the slick visuals, brilliant battles and epic storytelling of the last Final Fantasy games, but adds on freedom to explore and less linear dungeons. Add on some new ideas, such as time-travelling abilities, and you hopefully have a return to Final Fantasy classic Japanese role-playing epic form.

Get it: 3 February, PS3, Xbox 360

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Square Enix

What is it? Beautiful beat 'em up action, Soul Calibur is known for its melee weaponry (and having only marginally fewer scantily clad characters than Dead Or Alive).

Why you'll want it: The latest Soul Calibur manages its melee combat not just prettily, but slickly too - with plenty of challenge for hardcore fighting game fans, but lots of easy ways in to the action for less committed brawlers too. Multiplayer is a particular strength too.

Get it: 3 February, PS3, Xbox 360

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Namco Bandai

What is it? Floating sledges that shoot stuff ricochet around swooping sci-fi tracks - WipEout 2048 is the cutting-edge racing series brought to Sony's new PS Vita handheld console.

Why you'll want it: The visuals look so good they could be running on a PS3. In fact, connect WipEout 2048 to a PS3 and you can run the game big-screen, or (even without a PS3) you can play head-to-head multiplayer against PS3 WipEout gamers. It's a stunning racing title, and a showcase for the power of the PS Vita.

Get it: 22 February, PS Vita

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Sony Computer Entertainment

What is it? Hironobu 'Final Fantasy' Sakaguchi's action role-playing epic finally comes to the Wii over here (it's been out in Japan for ages - and scored a seriously high 38/40 in legendary Japanese games magazine Famitsu).

Why you'll want it: This could be the last hurrah for the Wii, plus it's a highly commended example of Japanese role-playing - with complex combat tactics and all sorts of odd diversions throughout the game. Ideal, if you want a Final Fantasy-style experience, but want it on the Wii.

Get it: 24 February, Wii

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Nintendo

What is it? The action-adventure series done for Sony's new PS Vita handheld system. All the combat, stealth and climbing, all the cinematic storytelling and all the slick dialogue that's seen Nathan Drake supplant Lara Croft as our tomb raider of choice, transferred to a handheld.

Why you'll want it: Simply put, it's superb. It really is a home console game done on a handheld. And it's a perfect way to show off the Vita - to the point of overdoing it (it could do with a few less touchscreen elements).

Get it: 22 February, PS Vita

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Sony Computer Entertainment