We take Battlefield and Modern Warfare head-to-head, while Jonny tries to explain how and why to "Prestige". We also try to get inside Microsoft's thinking on the latest Dashboard update and Xbox mobile apps, and have our first chat about PlayStation hero Nathan Drake and his adventures. Lastly, we discuss some of the more interesting new trailers from VGA 2011... And a very Merry Christmas from all at GameAddix.com and the Game Podium team.

This year marks the 9th event from US cable TV channel Spike, which has been gathering more and more attention as the industry it celebrates has grown. Being televised (worldwide via the web), it has become an ideal opportunity for publishers to preview new and upcoming games through dramatic trailers. And for every self-professed video game loving celebrity to get in front of a camera.

Producing a follow-up to the hit super hero action game Batman: Arkham Asylum must have been a quite a challenge, but it's one that developer Rocksteady have not taken lightly. Building on the original action-stealth-puzzler-beat ‘em up, they have fleshed out the action with many more side missions. The game world is much bigger, or at least seems so. Alas, there is no secret bat cave to be found, but the flow of the game is much better.

After being thoroughly uninspired by the range of Kinect launch titles, I was left feeling pretty skeptical that Child of Eden would live up to my expectations. Thankfully I was wrong. Q Entertainment’s synesthesia inducing shooter is finally a good reason to get up off the sofa. Gaming wise, I mean. 

The final chapter of the Gears of War story is upon us, and it is as epic an end as Epic would have you believe. While seemingly having all the tropes of a summer blockbuster movie — big explosions, lots of bad guys, looming apocalypse, unlikely characters — Gears of War 3 does well to remember it is, in fact, a game. And in that role it shines.