People investing in a PlayStation 3 have been told of a number of features which could enhance their experience with the machine.

Marc Saltzman, writing for DigitalTrends.com, said that while its first and third-party games, killer graphics and multimedia support for Blu-ray, DVDs and music steal the show, the Sony console is capable of doing so much more.

He said the PlayStation 3 also has support for digital living network alliance, which allows compatible devices to communicate with one another, meaning that music and videos stored on a hard drive can be accessed through the console.

“Remote Play is a feature that lets a PlayStation Portable user interact with the PlayStation 3‘s interface, allowing easy control of all the content stored on your its hard drive or external media,” he added.

Furthermore, gamers can also improve their chances of completing titles by downloading game save files from other people and playing their way through with updated content and unlockables.

Microsoft Xbox 360 fans will be able to get their hands on its new next-generation control system from October.

The computer giant confirmed that it will be released in time for the Christmas holiday season, where games and consoles traditionally fly off the shelves.

Syed Bilal Tariq, Microsoft Saudi marketing manager, told GamertagRadio that Natal would be available in Saudi Arabia on the same day as the rest of the world "somewhere in October", adding that June’s E3 conference will see an official release date being announced.

This seems to tie in with a prediction made by Computerandvideogames.com, which said that a retail listing for a new yoga game which will use Natal was set for October.

People splashing out on the new control system will also be able to get their hands on a raft of new titles before Christmas, with Halo: Reach, a new Call of Duty game and Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 all coming out.

Horror fans looking for their next thrill have been told that Alan Wake could be right up their street after it received a number of positive reviews.

Matt Wales, writing for IGN.co.uk, said the game, which is now available on the Xbox 360, takes the best elements from titles such as Silent Hill and Twin Peaks and polishes them to come up with a simple and neat thriller.

Taking up a third-person perspective, gamers control Alan Wake, who is up against the town’s “off-kilter inhabitants and a malevolent force”, which has been lying dormant at the bottom of a local lake.

Gamers are put in a spooky and atmospheric environment, out in the countryside where there are abandoned mining towns, forest and farm yards.

“There’s also a significant shift in gameplay which sees an early driving sequence expanded into several lengthy rides through the mountains, scavenging for munitions and scurrying over obstacles as the apocalypse itself sticks close to your tail,” added Mr Wales.

The title has also received good reviews from IGN’s regional websites, with the US version giving it nine out of ten.