Game on in 2002

BBC Sport Online reviewer David Gibbon looks ahead to the top sporting games due for release this year, in the second of a two-part preview.

Following last week's look at the hottest sporting video games for the first six months of 2002, this week we delve into the last part of the year to see what's coming up on all the major formats.

There's no doubt that there will be more sequels as EA deliver their annual goody bag - but this year could also see one or two surprises from other publishers in the business.

And with new formats - notably the Microsoft Xbox and the Nintendo GameCube - set for launch, 2002 looks like being another bumper year.

July

Following Codemasters' release of the excellent TOCA Rally Driver in June, Infogrames turns up the heat with the release of V-Rally 3 in July.

With sales topping the four million mark, the V-Rally series goes from strength to strength and this third incarnation looks set to be the most realistic yet.

This BMX game defies Gravity

Each car will include multi-layers, so reflections and dirt will be accurately displayed, while each of the tracks has been afforded its own designer.

Set for release on both the PlayStation 2 and Game Boy Advance, this could well prove strong competition for Codemasters rally game.

August

August will see the release of Sony's follow-up to the best-selling, critically acclaimed Smash Court Tennis.

Entitled Smash Court Tennis: Pro Tournament - the game looks set to have another large following.

Also in August, we can expect to see an all-new rally game (yes - another one!) - from Activision.

Called Race of Champions, it will be out on PS2, Xbox and GameCube.

This is said to be the first rally game that allows players to battle it out for the Champion of Champions crown, where the world's top drivers compete head to head.

It will feature 12 levels, 30 drivers and 24 licensed cars - but time will tell if it's actually any good!

September

They may have no Ready to Rumble games this year, but Midway are releasing this extreme sports game for the Xbox, PS2 and GameCube.

Called Gravity Games BMX, it's a trick-based bike game offering 21 riders, 10 open freestyle tournaments, nine game modes and 1,400 tricks, including front flip, bar-spin-disaster and lots more.

Should the gameplay live up to its boast, this one could be a surprise hit this year.

The Rocky characters are very realistic

Also out this month is a PC conversion of the Virgin Interactive hit Lotus Challenge.

October

This is the month PC football fans will be waiting for, with the release of Championship Manager 4.

Few details of the game have been made available - but it is due to focus largely on internet play - allowing users from around the world to manage their team and go up against "real" people.

Just imagine the fun of trying to persuade someone to part with their favourite player - or receiving offers from teams around the world for your top striker.

While CM has always been popular - there's little doubt that this is going to be the most popular version of all.

November

This is the month that traditionally sees EA fire all of its sequels out - and this year should be no different.

Madden, FIFA 2003, NHL....you get the picture.

Also set for release this month is a video game based on the Rocky movies.

Featuring all of the characters from the first five Rocky films - such as Apollo Creed, Clubber Lang and Ivan Drago - it will be out on PS2, Xbox and Game Boy Advance.

Aside from the variety of shots and modes, the visuals are the stand-out feature.

They have been recreated from the movie and each of the characters in the game looks amazingly life-like.

December

Sir Alex Ferguson should be nursing his pipe and slippers by the time Ubi Soft release Alex Ferguson's Player Manager 2002 for the PlayStation 2.

Horses for courses: Gallop Racer will be a hit

Featuring up-to-the-minute stats and player data, it will also include a database that tracks the transfers of 35,000 players.

Also out this month will be a new version of Ridge Racer for the PS2 and Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 for GameCube and Xbox.

And while Konami will release ESPN Championhip Golf for the Advance, Disney will put out ESPN International Winter Sports 2002 for PS2 and Xbox.

More interesting is a Euro Tour Cycling game for the PC and a highly original horse racing game called Gallop Racer.

Here, players will be able to wager on the outcome of races, build their own stable of thoroughbreds and enter races in the calendar.

This is definitely one to watch out for.