The release calendar can sometimes be hard to keep fully up to date with, prompting bemusement when games sneak up on you in the shelves in GAME, and you've already spent your money on frozen popsicles and cherry drops, or whatever it is that people buy these days. With that in mind, NE will be running a quick preview of upcoming releases every two weeks for you. We get handier by the day.

FIFA 07 - 29 Sept - GC, DS, GBA

What's it about? You know the score (oh ho!) by now. FIFA 07 updates EA's football series with the latest player allegiances and other assorted information, with a new management system when you're bored of the pitch. Out on all formats under the sun.

Worth buying? It depends on whether you liked the previous editions to be honest, a rule of thumb that applies to pretty much all of EA's licensed array of sporting titles. I personally question the necessity to supply EA with money for what is essentially the same title each year, but the hardcore footie fans will get satisfaction out of having the 'proper' set of statistics to play with. If your mates get a kick (again!) out of the same thing, then a Gamecube edition for some party frolicking is recommended. DS and GBA versions will be released too, if you're one of the strange people who enjoys handheld sports games.

[What everyone else is saying]

Clubhouse Games (42 All-Time Classics) - 29 Sept - DS

What's it about? Part of Nintendo's Touch Generations line-up, this is not so much a game, but a compilation of lots of familiar ones. There is checkers (draughts), chess, a whole host of card games, and basic versions of pub games like darts and billiards. Wi-Fi included.

Worth buying? Actually, probably. Compilations like this are usually best ignored, but on the DS they find a amicable home. The format has thrived on quick pick-up-and-play titles, and this suits perfectly. There's little else to do on public transport besides make smallchat with odd-smelling people anyway, and with such a large host of games you're likely to find something to enjoy. Presentation is simple and easy, and the WiFi capacity is a secret weapon. Play poker with your friends without killing trees.

[What everyone else is saying]

Open Season - 06 Oct - DS, gba

What's it about? The game of the movie, in which CGI animals turn on the hunters out to, well, do what hunters do. It's hardly The Incredibles - expect sugary plots and the hunters to be really really bad men. The game appears to follow the kids movie license template we're used to, with a mix of platforming, puzzles and miscellaneous touch-based tasks.

Worth buying? No, not really. Buy an additional copy of Clubhouse Games for your parents instead if you simply have to spend money.

[What everyone else is saying]

DS Web Browser - 06 Oct - DS

What's it about? Browsing the web on the go is common now, and the DS is joining the roster of capatible devices. Opera have developed a browser which allows you to 'surf' the net, or at least a stripped down version of it.

Worth buying? We're not quite sure. True, the browser is a very handy thing to have on your DS, but it's worth remembering that this is hardly the peak of internet browsing functionality. The browser doesn't support a lot of things that make websites tick, like Java, Flash and movies. And we hear it's slow. Really slow. And with no option of future upgrading we don't expect this problems to be fixed. It's neat to use your stylus to write in URLs, and navigating and reading pages is pleasingly simple, so it's hardly a total bust. If you've nothing else to check webpages when you're on the move, and are just after something simple like the latest news, then perhaps you should take a look. Otherwise, stick to your PDA.

And that's a wrap! Keep an eye out for the next edition, in two weeks or less. Disagree with us? Chat in the thread if you have anything to add to the discussion.

Conor Smyth
[email protected]