12 cert, SNK Playmore, Xbox Live (exclusive) ***

Gamers of a certain age might be familiar with Metal Slug, the ubiquitous and popular second-person arcade shooter. You can play as Marco, the original lead from the franchise (a typical videogame marine) or as one of a variety of new characters, including a Sarah Connor-esque soldier.

Working your way through increasingly hectic warzones, the splendidly simple objective is to shoot your opponents more than they shoot you. Freeing hostages is rewarded with bigger and better guns. And then there are the tanks. I've always admired the agility of Metal Slugtanks: more like exoskeletons than vehicles, they're armoured and powerful, but can jump and duck as quickly as your average soldier.

Though not the most complex game you'll play this year, Metal Slug XXis nostalgic, brawny entertainment.