If you’re a fan of Halo, it must be like Christmas rolled in Easter at the moment. Halo 3’s out, smashing sales records and earning review scores that put even Bioshock into the shade. But if you can’t stand Master Chief’s macho missions, things might feel a little more like being forced to sit through someone’s terrifyingly dull holiday snaps collection. So what’s your alternative?

Since Christmas 2007 is the first bumper holiday period that PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii can all go at it like knives in a cut-throat competition, you won’t be surprised to discover that, yes, there is life outside Bungie’s megapiece. So here’s what’s on offer - no dross, no toss, just blockbuster sized AAA entertainment. And not a Spartan in sight…

Pro Evolution Soccer 2008
Out Oct | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PC
The King is back, and finally we have a proper next-gen instalment of PES. The settling in period is, as always, tough going, but the benefits are enormous - from deeper animation to even better shot control. Meanwhile, on PSP and PS2, it’s business as usual, but when business is this good who wants that much to change?

Project Gotham Racing 4
Out Oct | Xbox 360
Gran Turismo 5? It can wait. PGR4’s ludicrously detailed and gorgeous visuals are married to one of the greatest racing games ever made, with nippy and accurate handling, sublime sound direction and something GT can’t boast - ruthlessly fast motorbikes! Petrolheads, your saviour is here.

Half Life 2: The Orange Box
Out Oct | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
Like Halo, it’s an FPS, but unlike Halo, Half-Life has always been much more than just a shooter. And, when combined with Episodes One and Two, the fantastically cartoon Team Fortress 2 and excitingly new game Portal, The Orange Box is a brighter prospect than just about anything else you can buy.

Skate
Out Sept/Oct | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
After years of Tony Hawk dominance, skateboard fans get the first game that really feels like skateboarding - with all the difficulty, obsession with technique, cultural-resonance and sky-high level of satisfaction that suggests. It’s not just for skaters, though. Skate is one of the best games of 2007.

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
Out Oct | Nintendo DS
Link returns, with a whole new approach. Melding the cel-shaded beauty of Wind Waker (and the seafearing adventure) with the touch-screen dynamics of Nintendo DS, this is a fantastically realised and eye-caressingly pleasing outing for our favourite pointy-eared hero. An absolute must for all DS owners.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Out Nov | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC
As Medal of Honor attempts to reinvent WWII gameplay, Call of Duty leaves the past behind for a more high-tech dose of lethal action. Set in tumultuous modern times, anyone who’s played the recent multiplayer Beta can go on for hours about the hugely satisfying weaponry, brilliantly solid feel to the action and the gritty, compelling visuals. This is something special.

Crysis
Out Nov | PC
For over a year now we’ve been consistently amazed and staggered by Crysis’ looks, ambition and scope - not to mention intimidated by the inevitably nuclear-level demands on PC hardware. Still, this is the very definition of next-gen gameplay and development, and you’ll need some next-gen tech to get the most from Crytek’s actioner.

Mass Effect
Out Nov | Xbox 360
Easily the game that’s kept Xbox 360 gamers without a Halo-obsession most excited is Bioware’s epic space opera. Evoking memories of Elite and Knights of the Old Republic, Mass Effect must surely be top of the must buy list for anyone seeking a gripping, hugely varied adventure with canyon-esque depth.

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction
Out Nov | PlayStation 3
The interstellar duo have long been one of PS2’s sharpest and hottest offerings, and with Ratchet & Clank’s first step into next-gen territory you can expect nothing but the best of what’s come before, ramped all the way up to 11. Could Insomniac’s super adventure be the killer title PS3 is waiting for? All signs point to “Yes”.

Super Mario Galaxy
Out Nov | Nintendo Wii
You know what to expect from Mario - instant enjoyment, twitch gaming happiness and a solid, compelling world of bright colours and challenges both animate and environmental. What you don’t expect is for it all to be completely reinvented for Wii, complete with inter-space hopping, new Mario suits and ludicrously exciting puzzles and trials. We’re not sure if we can survive the wait.

Source: N4G

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