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The Golden Compass

DS, PC, PS2, PS3, PSP, Wii, X360

This game lets you replay the adventures of young Lyra Belacqua, her spirit daemon Pan and the great bear Iorek, as they trek through a treacherous, frozen wilderness to rescue Lyra’s friend Roger. Throughout their journey you’ll explore 13 different (and vast) magical landscapes, from the town of Trollesund to creepy Bolvangar station. To survive you’ll need Lyra’s stealth and cunning, Pan’s talent for teamwork, Iorek’s strength and, of course, the truth-telling golden compass to unlock secrets and beat mini-games. PS3 and Wii players rely on their motion-sensing controllers to master the game, while DS players get to experience multiplayer action. Just don’t forget to bundle up.

Wii Fit

Wii

Last year Wii Sports had gamers swinging tennis rackets and golf clubs. Now Wii Fit uses a wireless “balance board” to turn your living room into a full athletic centre. The balance board looks like a bathroom scale, and controls your on-screen character by accurately measuring how you’re standing and moving. There are more than 40 activities, including balance games like leaning forward to head soccer balls and wiggling your hips to power hula hoops.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Wii

Ever wonder if Link from the Zelda games is tougher than Samus, armoured heroine of the Metroid series? Or if roly-poly Mario could knock out speedy Sonic the Hedgehog? In this fighting game more than 20 Nintendo characters duke it out in wild 3-D fighting action, in locations inspired by the original games. As well as punching and kicking, every hero has special combat moves that’ll be helpful with the classic (if sneaky) strategy of stunning opponents, then shoving them out of the ring. Also cool: up to four players can battle at once, either online or using the same console. Just be sure to move the furniture first — these Wii wars can get a little crazy.