And once this happens, it’s usually the gamers that suffer. Gone is the steady stream of decent games that’s been flowing since the previous October, replaced by a miserable trickle of lacklustre handheld games and half-arsed movie tie-ins.

Indeed, if anything, it should be worse this year. With 2007 having been awash with great games – thus ensuring a surprisingly balanced release schedule throughout the year – the weight of expectation heaped on the shoulders of 2008’s summer line up is all the greater.

And looking at the release list, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a load that 2008’s summer line-up is unable to shoulder.

But if you’re currently resigning yourself to spending your summer trawling through bargain bins and finishing up those games you couldn’t be bothered to see through to the end over Christmas, don’t be too hasty.

While they might not leap off the page, there’s still a surprising number of gaming gems lurking amongst this summer’s releases.

Just to prove the point, we’ve taken a look at both the recent releases and those forthcoming ones, and hand picked our top ten games to see you through the summer months.

Whether you’re rocking out in Rock Band, tearing up exotic bits of tarmac in Ferrari Challenge and GRID, knocking seven shades out of rivals in Smash Bros. Brawl and Battle Fantasia or mowing down enemies in Bad Company, there’s the proverbial something for everyone amongst our chosen ten.

So without further ado, on with the games!

10. Unreal Tournament III (360, release: 4 July)

In the world of the online deathmatch, few games can hold a candle to the awesomeness of Unreal Tournament.

Admittedly, it’s taken a little longer than expected for the 360 version of UT’s latest iteration to turn up (and even then, without the joys of user-generated maps). But either way, the 360 version is nearly upon us.

And this should be music to the ears of deathmatch fans everywhere. With a combination of smooth controls, slick visuals, incredibly balanced level design and even some decent bots for a change, the game should prove to be a hit on Live.

Admittedly, the iron fist with which Microsoft governs Xbox Live means that 360 owners will have to do without the wealth of user-generated maps we’ve seen on the other versions (although there will be additional maps released for it), and those looking for a fulfilling single player experience will wind up being disappointed.

But if deathmatches are your thing – or you’re just really desperate to check out that Gears of War 2 video – this’ll be worth a look.

9. Battle Fantasia (360/PS3, release: Out Now (import), UK: TBC)

While publishers will try to hype pretty much anything to the rafters these days, a game will occasionally come along that truly takes you by surprise – Battle Fantasia being one such game.

Developed by Guilty Gear coders Arc System Works, Battle Fantasia arrived in the arcades back in 2007, and has just hit the PS3 and 360 in Japan – and despite a lack of hype, it’s a rather brilliant game.

Best described as a combination of traditional 2D beat-’em-up gameplay (albeit with 3D graphics) with JRPG style characters, this has allowed Arc to really go to town with the game. Rather than the usual assortment of martial artists, ninjas and kung-fu chicks, Battle Fantasia features knights, flag-waving soldier princesses, cowboys, pirates and even wizard rabbits in strange hats.

The RPG theme also means those same characters can call on some seriously impressive special moves. Forget fireballs and spinning kicks, as Battle Fantasia’s cast can fly across the screen, attack one another with bear traps and even drop church bells on enemies.

There may only be 12 characters on offer, but make no mistake – learning how best to use the Gachi button to parry attacks, the heat system to charge your own strikes and how to string together devastating moves will take you an age.

It’s not been officially confirmed as coming out over here yet, but we’re expecting a Western release sooner rather than later. Although given the lack of language barriers and the quality of the game, those who are au fait with the import scene may want to go right ahead and import it.

8. Civilization Revolution (360/PS3, release: Out now)

Strategy games have a bad rep on consoles. You get the odd one or two exceptions, but their complex nature and plodding controls tend to be at odds with the fast, flowing nature of most console games.

Civ Rev is very much a response to that. Rather than tying you up with endless options and a huge world, Civ Rev condenses and simplifies things to create a more fluid experience.

While there’s a danger that the series’ traditional fans may be left somewhat unimpressed by the scale of the game relative to the PC versions, that’s not to say Revolution isn’t deep, requiring you to still strike a balance between conquest, defence and the way you run your empire.

If you’re new to the series – or are just looking for a decent console turn-based strategy title – then Revolution has everything you need to consume hours of your day at a time.

7. Ferrari Challenge (PC/PS3/Wii, release: 4 July)

In these days where developers proudly crow about how many cars they’ve been able to cram into their latest racer, developing a game that revolves around a single spec championship is a bit brave.

But that’s what System 3 and Eutechnyx are attempting with Ferrari Challenge – and by the looks of it, it’s going to pay off. Although the game will principally be based on the titular Ferrari Challenge – which forms the basis for several championships around the world, using modified Ferrari F430 cars – the game will also feature a selection of the marque's most famous models as well.

With driving game specialists Eutechnyx on the job and Bruno Senna (nephew of legendary triple F1 world champion Ayrton, and himself a front runner in Formula One’s GP2 feeder series) on hand to offer a few pointers, System 3’s bold promise that this will be “the Ferrari of videogames” looks set to come true.

6. Top Spin 3 (360/PC/PS3/Wii, release: out now)

With rivals such as SEGA Superstars Tennis, Smash Court Tennis 3 and Virtua Tennis 3, any new tennis game will need to be good – which Top Spin 3 most certainly is.

Rather than going down the same primary-hued arcade road that its rivals have gone down, Top Spin 3 has gone for a more realistic approach, attempting to deliver a realistic portrayal of the sport in all its gritty glory.

As such, there are no fruit dodging, robot destroying mini-games or elaborate shots here. Instead, what you get is a hardcore sim that places the emphasis on making sure you make the right shot at the right time, and ruthlessly punishing you if you don’t.

Coupled with a cast of contemporary stars and some of the all-time greats of the court, a huge career mode and the obligatory make-your-own-player facility, and those tennis fans looking for a serious tennis sim should be well catered for long after Wimbledon is over with.