With what is traditionally one of the busiest periods in the gaming release calendar now upon us we are going to take a look at what we can look forward to in the coming week. We've got quite a gaming banquet to gorge upon this week with fans of fantasy dragon slaying, budding musicians and lovers of small blue blobs all receiving their fix. Here we will cover the top 3 releases of the week just to initiate some brain-waving as to which games will come at the top of your list to jolly old St Nick. A good degree of these are nice but we particularly like the ones that are naughty and with that in mind we kick off our top picks with Dragon Age: Origins.

Dragon Age: Origins (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)

In Dragon Age: Origins we get the chance to experience the background stories to the characters we play as before the events of the main game. In this RPG adventure we play either a human, an elf or a dwarf in a mystical and fantasy based world. The game features a fair amount of cinematic dialogue and uses a pause-and-play tactical system. You will be required to pick from a choice of three classes, the rogue, the warrior and the mage, all of which have unique traits that take advantage of others weaknesses. Continued game play results in point gaining which then leads to upgrades within your class. In essence this is your classic RPG which has been hailed as the spiritual successor the Baldur's Gate series. This statement alone leads us to believe that we are in for one-hell-of-a role playing feast.

Ratchet And Clank: A Crack In Time (PS3)

Ratchet And Clank: A Crack In Time is actually the 9th instalment of the series that stems back to the good old PS2 days. It is the final adventure in the current-gen trilogy and picks up where Quest For Booty left off. In it Ratchet is continuing his search for Clank following his kidnap by Zoni at the end of the 1st tale. We are in for many new treats in this one including a time slowing staff controlled by Clank. Clank is also able to use himself as well as a holographic clone in order to help solve puzzles and progress through the game. It sounds like more of the same from developers Insomniac Games and for owners of the two adventures already released on the PS3 it is a must in order to complete your collection and reunite the two lovable critters.

Band Hero (PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

Band Hero is yet another spin off from the hugely successful and popular Guitar Hero series. As is suggested in the title, you are able to play with a whole band to new tracks from new artists. Taylor Swift, Adam Levine (of Maroon 5) and No Doubt have all been confirmed as playable avatars too. You can even rock along to your favourite song by using your own created avatar or Mii for Wii owners. The game follows the same formula as other band games but this will see the introduction of a new drum kit which address the concerns over the weight and size of previous models. The music is almost endless with the fact that you are able to use the downloadable content you bought for Guitar Hero 5 and World Tour. Of course, more will be available for the launch of Band Hero but at least your old content can be given a new lease of life.

Also available this week:

A Boy And His Blob (Wii)

Ghostbusters (DS, Wii, Xbox 360, PC)

Hasbro Family Game Night (DS, Xbox 360)

Hasbro Family Game Night Volume 2 (Wii)

Jambo Safari (DS, Wii)

Madagascar: Kartz (DS, Wii, Xbox 360)

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 (PSP)

Need for Speed: Nitro (DS, Wii)

Rabbids Go Home (DS, Wii)

Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time (PS3)

PES 2010: Pro Evolution Soccer (PS2, PSP)