Just before E3 2006, a new CMR game was revealed to be in the works over at Codies for next-gen platforms, after a two-year break for the famed rally series. At that time we weren't sure about the PC version, but now we are, and we also got a title for the game. Actually, make that two. In PAL territories (Europe), the game will be called Colin McRae: DIRT, while Americans will refer to it as DIRT: Colin McRae Off-Road. But whatever you call it, the dirty new Colin McRae will be released during 2007 on the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. A special edition for mobile phones will also be available, from Codemasters Mobile.

The first few screenshots are already available in our gallery, and if the actual game is anywhere near that good looking, by all means, sign me up!

On to the features, Codemasters promises do deliver an incredible range of off-road vehicles, thrill-packed tracks, modes that make the most of online multiplayer, and more varied events than any other single-championship rally game.

"Race in challenging heavyweight 850bhp cars, drifting on the loose gravel and high-speed blind corners of Hill Climb events along perilous cliff edges. All 12.4 miles of the world famous Pikes Peak International is included, with over 150 precarious turns to negotiate through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

How about engaging in multiple car races with Dakar-style trucks and super-powered 4x4s on the toughest desert terrain in Rally Raid competitions? Then there are Rally Cross events, switching between dirt and road racing, where the competition is always tight, fast and collisions with your opponents are inevitable.

With more off-road racing styles to be revealed, Colin McRae: DIRT will also offer a dedicated mode for European, International and Global rally championships featuring official 2WD, 4WD, Classic and RWD rally cars.

Colin McRae: DIRT will deliver the wheel-screaming exhilaration of off-road racing with the next generation of the series' sublime car handling and physics system and a devastating new damage engine that ensures players experience every bump in the track, every loose rock, every inch of shifting dirt through the reactive environments."

Now, I know I'm not supposed to get excited over a CMR game, but it's been a really long time since Rally Burns Rally, and I'm just dying to get my hands on another great rally racing game. Hope this will be it.

(N.B. Archive text, links removed)