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This week's new GAME releases are all about revisiting gaming's classic series, with new franchise outings or expansions for existing blockbuster titles.

Epic fantasy

One of gaming's biggest role-playing series is finally ready to make its debut on the current generation of consoles. Final Fantasy XIII (PS3/X360) features unique worlds, memorable characters and an engrossing story that sees players plunged into an age-old conflict between the floating city of Cocoon and the mysterious land of Pulse that dwells beneath it.

The title offers an epic quest, fantastic magic and titanic battles, all in jaw-dropping HD for the first time in the franchise's history. It's set to be one of the biggest titles of the year, taking gamers on an enchanting journey that's definitely not to be missed.

Chaos rises

Set in the war-ravaged world of Games Workshop's science fiction universe, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II: Chaos Rising (PC) transports players into the midst of an intergalactic war between ancient enemies.

This standalone expansion pack for the acclaimed real time strategy series introduces the Chaos Space Marines as a playable army, adds 15 new single player missions and raises the level cap from 20 to 30. It also features new multiplayer maps and fresh units for the Orks, Eldar, Tyranids and Space Marines.

Street fighting in Tokyo

Expertly blending combat, exploration and mini-games, Sega's open-world adventure Yakuza 3 (PS3) makes its much anticipated debut on a current generation platform.

While all begins calmly as you step into the shoes of former criminal Kiryu Kazuma, who's now running an orphanage on the tropical island of Okinawa, it's not long before adversity strikes and forces him to return to the gritty Tokyo haunts from the first two games and the shadowy past he thought he'd left behind.

Speeding through Green Hill Zone

The original titles from gaming icon Sonic The Hedgehog come to the Nintendo DS for the first time. Sonic Classic Collection (DSi/DS Lite) allows fans old and new to speed through the much loved zones of the four original Sonic adventures in a bid to collect the Chaos Emeralds and save the world.

Sonic Classic Collection boasts a new save anywhere feature, meaning the game can be enjoyed anywhere, anytime. It also features a video recounting the history of Sonic, offering gamers an in-depth look at the evolution of the speedy hedgehog.

The biohazard threat returns

An expanded version of last year's chart topping Resident Evil 5, Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition (PS3/Xbox 360) contains two new story episodes, additional player costumes and fresh characters for Mercenaries mode - a side game that sees players shooting down as many enemies as they can within a set time limit.

The first new chapter, "Lost in Nightmares," stars Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield as they investigate Umbrella Corporation founder Ozwell E. Spencer's hideaway. The second, "Desperate Escape," sees Valentine and Josh Stone fight off waves of enemies in a bid to escape from an African research facility under the darkness of night.

Also out this week:

• Avalon Code (DSi/DS Lite)
• Ben 10: Alien Force: Vilgax Attacks (X360/Wii/DS/PSP/PS2)
• Dancing on Ice (Wii)
• Fat Princess (PSP)
• Way of the Samurai 3 (X360/PS3)