Here’s the story. There was once a dog detective and a psycho rabbit sidekick called Sam and Max who featured in a cult comic series. They then hit the big time by starring in a classic PC adventure game called Sam and Max Hit the Road. However, some bigwigs decided that adventure games don’t sell and the animal duo were pensioned off without a sequel.

Now, nearly 15 years later, they are back in a series of episodic game portions that you can download. Five quid buys you a good few hours of action, and this one, called Situation: Comedy, is the second in a season of six.

This time, our heroes are on a mission to rescue a hostage audience from a talk-show host gone crazy. The core gameplay is the stuff of classic graphic adventures — find an item here, use it there, watch the hilarious results — but when you are trying to cheat your way through a TV talent contest or attempting to set up a hoax extraterrestrial visit, it never feels clichéd. Meanwhile, the 3-D cartoon graphics and jazz score feel daisy-fresh. The next instalment will follow shortly. SA

World Snooker Championship 2007
4/5
PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, PS3; £30-£50. Age 3+

This latest edition of the officially endorsed snooker series is the Ronnie O’Sullivan of the genre. The 104 players you can choose from resemble their real-life counterparts, the balls gleam with realistic light effects, and the top-notch physics engine means that every shot reacts as it would on a real table.

While tutorials in most games are little more than a set of predefined scripts, the training levels here are reactive to what happens. Make a good break and it’ll start advising tricky shots; louse it up and you’ll be shown the beginners’ guide. John Virgo’s limited repartee intrudes somewhat, but this is the best rendition of the virtual baize. DE

Star Fox Command
3/5
Nintendo DS, £30. Age 11+

The team of Fox McCloud, Peppy Hare, Slippy Toad and Krystal has disbanded, but the world of Lylat is again in danger, so the members are forced to regroup. For those unfamiliar with the Star Fox series, McCloud et al are a crack squad of uniformed animals who fly spaceships.

In the latest version you must shoot down various enemies in a series of beautifully realised locations, piloting a variety of ships.

Alongside the aerial combat there are some strategy elements that require you to manoeuvre your craft on a 2-D map, but these distract from the main gameplay — it’s the flying that’s most enjoyable. DP