Presented in glorious alphabetical order, New Media: Retail Roundup is your indispensible checklist of the home console and handheld titles arriving in stores this week. What will you be playing?

MICROSOFT Xbox 360 Nothing

NINTENDO WU Nothing Wii Nothing 3DS Nothing

SONY PS3 Nothing PSV Nothing

VARIOUS PC Nothing

New Media: Downloadable Digest is your handy reminder of the downloadable titles released last week.

MICROSOFT Xbox 360 Field Goal Contest * Prize Driver * Reaction Rally

NINTENDO WU Rise of the Guardians 3DS Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels (NES)

SONY PS3 Nothing PSV Nothing

VALVE Steam Nothing

Welcome to The Black List, your one stop shop for the stories published on the site this week.

MONDAY PREVIEW Crysis 3 > This was a tale of two sessions, one devoted to this highly anticipated shooter’s multiplayer component, the other to its single player campaign. The former was solid but unremarkable, the latter a powerful reminder of what developer Crytek is capable of. Both took place in a decimated New York City dominated by the villainous Cell Corporation. READ MORE

TUESDAY SPECIAL Merry Christmas > Merry Christmas one and all! Thanks so much for visiting the site, listening to the podcast, leaving a comment or entering one of our competitions. This has been a tremendous year for The Black Panel and we’re incredibly grateful for your patronage. READ MORE

WEDNESDAY REVIEW Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed > After a solid start to the series back in 2010, fans had a right to expect that Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed would offer better gameplay along with its transforming vehicles. Unfortunately, it feels like all the fun and joy has been sacrificed in order to make an unnecessarily complicated sequel. By going for too much, too hard, too soon, the game has fallen flat on its face. READ MORE

THURSDAY REVIEW Hitman: Absolution > This is fifth instalment of the Hitman series starring the consummate assassin, Agent 47. Absolution has a blockbuster feel to it. Stunning visuals, great voice acting and polished gameplay all come together to deliver a package to kill for. Only a handful of bugs and some very minor control issues detract from the otherwise excellent stealth gameplay. READ MORE

FRIDAY REVIEW Need For Speed: Most Wanted >I am a Need For Speed noob.  In fact, I even drive a hatchback.  I have a medium sized car with good fuel economy and I hardly ever wash it. I choose to drive instead of walking and I like to play heavy metal loudly at all times. I’ve only ever changed one tire in my life and didn’t like it because my hands got dirty. But I really like this game. So there. READ MORE

Available on 360, PS3, PC and PSV l Published by EA l Developed by Criterion Games l Classified PG l Supports 1-8 players

REVIEW IN BRIEF > I am a Need For Speed noob. In fact, I even drive a hatchback. I have a medium sized car with good fuel economy and I hardly ever wash it. I choose to drive instead of walking and I like to play heavy metal loudly at all times. I’ve only ever changed one tyre in my life and didn’t like it because my hands got dirty. But I really like this game. So there. Read the rest of this entry »