Platforms: PS3 (reviewed) | Xbox 360 | PC

Developers: Codemasters Birmingham

Publisher: Codemasters

I’ve got a confession to make; I was quite looking forward to reviewing this game. Firstly because last week I reviewed LittleBigPlanet Karting – a fairly decent game but a missed opportunity to deliver a great karting experience – and was looking for another karting game to fill the void. Secondly I’m personally a fan of F1 anyway, so I was more intrigued how they had linked in the concept and feel of F1 – a very serious and detailed sport – into the fun and quirky world of console kart racing.

First impressions before I’d touched the controller were pleasing. The visual style was going about its business with a sense of bright colours, and cartoony driver models – making it look like all the racers were out of Team America, in a good way. And the intro movie showcasing the game seemed to suggest vibrant wacky locations with lots of character, mayhem on the track with items going every which way and the drivers being as camp as a box of tents. So things were looking good. But if ever the adage of “looks can be deceiving” needed a PS3 game to embody it, then F1 Race Stars is it.

F1 All Stars sets itself up like the majority of other kart racers out there. There are a variety of tracks to race around, with gold, silver and bronze trophies awarded to podium finishes. And as is customary in these games, there are various items you can pick up throughout the courses to help you to victory or hinder your opponent’s chances. The instant attraction to this game though is that you can choose to race as your favourite F1 star from this season’s crop of racers. So if you feel like showing Vettel and the lads that Karthekayan really can win a race, then this is your best bet.

• What: DiRT 3
• Where: ShopTo PS3 | Xbox 360
• Current Price: £19.98
• DiRT 3 Xbox 360 Price Comparison
• DiRT 3 PS3 Price Comparison
• DiRT 3 Review

DiRT 3, once again, demonstrates that Codemasters are at the very top of the driving games tier. It delivers an unbelievable amount of content, loads of cars, plenty of tracks/surfaces and a massive gymkhana mode starring the legendary Ken Block. ShopTo are currently charging under £15for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, which is a beefy saving and a seriously attractive breakthrough price.

This is a beautiful trailer, a really good looking, orchestrally stirring trailer that should have all F1 enthusiasts scrabbling about with excitement. We've been covering Codemasters' latest racing masterpiece pretty closely, and you can check out our hands-on preview and interview for more information. Otherwise, hit the jump and bathe your optic nerves in petrolhead nirvana.

Codemasters Birmingham has released a new developer diary video detailing F1 2011's co-op championship mode that will allow players to engage in friendly competition as part of the same racing team. Check it out after the break.

If you're hungry for more details, we've got the full exclusive achievement list, interviews and a hands-on preview ready to go.

• What: F1 2011 Pre-Order
• Where: The Hut
• Current Price: £32.85
• F1 2011 Xbox 360 Price Comparison
• F1 2011 Preview

F1 2010 is one of the best racing games I've ever played, so I'm expecting great things from F1 2011 when it hits shop shelves in September. There are plenty of circuits, drivers, and teams to choose from, and once you do, you can take your car out for a spin on the track. Also, the multiplayer'll allow 16 players to compete at the same time, and if you fancy it you can throw in another 8 AI controlled drivers. The Hut are letting you pre-order Xbox 360 copies of the game for £32.85, which is £2 cheaper than the next best offer coming in from ShopTo.

• What: DiRT 3
• Where: Simply Games
• Current Price: £14.85
• DiRT 3 Price Comparison
• DiRT 3 Review

Codemasters know what they're doing. They're the best of British, and frankly, they've done us all proud with a truly epic rally game. It's got more modes, more tracks, more cars and more features than practically any rally title I can think of; not to mention an awesome Gymkhana mode starring the indestructible Ken Block. PC gamers can pick up DiRT 3 from Simply Games for less than £15 - which is a big saving and a major bargain.