Do you pine for a new Destruction Derby? I sure do, and whilst we’re not actually getting one, Codemasters are releasing, potentially, the next best thing. We already knew about DiRT Showdown from its announcement back in December, but the developer has now launched the first gameplay video for the game.

Heading to the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC in May, this “dive-in-and drive” action-packed racer is looking impressive already; and with the pedigree that the DiRT franchise has, it’s hard not to be excited for this extension of the series. The work-in-progress footage showcases the “full-impact, destruction-focussed racing featured in DiRT Showdown’s 8 Ball event” – something that is very reminiscent of the old Destruction Derby games.

There will be over fifty different different events across four championships, ranging from San Francisco to Tokyo. Vehicle wise, we can expect Ken Block’s all new Gymkhana FOUR H.F.H.V. Ford Fiesta alongside a fantastic mix of vehicles across a range of classes.

Best of all though? Split-screen multiplayer, eight-player online racing, on and off-line quick-fire party games and YouTube integration all come as standard – superb!