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Last minute gift ideas
Published December 23, 2009
So many choices, so little time.
If there's a video gamer in your life you know that having a hot game can mean the difference between peace and quiet in the house and hearing the constant strains of, “I wish I had that game,” every time a commercial comes across the television.
There are hundreds of choices out there when it comes to what game to buy, but here are some recommendations for you folks who may still be on the fence about what to buy and why.
SPORTS
Sports games can bring out the best and the worst in people because of the competitive desires they foster in even the most novice of gamers. Once you get your hands on the team of your dreams the rest is up to you.
To that effect, the hottest games in sports include the football game Madden 10, soccer's FIFA 10, racing's Forza Motorsport 3 and Gran Turismo, and the all encompassing Wii Sports Resort.
Madden 10 and FIFA 10 have been rated by many experts as the best games in their respective genres and the most impressive versions of those franchises to come along in years. Whether you like football or futbol, these games are for you.
Forza Motorsport 3 and Gran Turismo bring a variety of race cars and tracks to fans of driving games.
This isn't a case of who can build the fanciest looking vehicle but rather how well you can handle some of the world's best race cars on some of the most challenging courses out there.
Wii Sports Resort is the sequel to the wildly popular Wii Sports that was included in the package when folks purchased the Nintendo Wii.
Resort gives players more choices in what sports to play including fencing, flying and more.
It's even provides players with a little exercise thanks to the use of the motion controller that comes standard with the Wii.
Game Details:
Madden 10 (ESRB Rating: E for Everyone; $59.99 on the high end, available for less at many retailers; available for PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Playstation 2 and PSP platforms)
FIFA 10 (ESRB Rating: E for Everyone; $59.99 on the high end, available for less at many retailers; available for PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Playstation 2, Nintendo DS and PSP platforms)
Forza Motorsport 3 (ESRB Rating: E for Everyone; $59.99 on the high end, available for less at many retailers; available for Xbox 360 only)
Gran Turismo (ESRB Rating: E for Everyone; $39.99 on the high end, available for less at many retailers; available for Sony PSP only)
Wii Sports Resort (ESRB Rating: E for Everyone; $49.99 on the high end, available for less at many retailers; available for Nintendo Wii only)
PLATFORMS
Platform games bring a wide open world full of puzzles and challenges while at the same time offering a chance for you and your friends to get involved.
LittleBigPlanet was heralded by many critics as the game of the year in 2008, but the folks behind the game released a new version of the game this year for the handheld PSP and a Game of the Year edition for the PS3. The gameplay didn't change but new levels and new outfits for you character, lovingly called Sackboy, make it a new experience.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii is the latest installment in the classic Nintendo franchise. This time the famous plumbing duo of Mario and Luigi are joined by two Toads as they journey through the Mushroom Kingdom.
Up to four players can play at the same time and either work together or against each other.
Game Details:
LittleBigPlanet (ESRB Rating: E for Everyone; $59.99 on the high end for the PS3, $39.99 for PSP, available for less at many retailers; available for PS3 or PSP only)
New Super Mario Bros. Wii (ESRB Rating: E for Everyone; $49.99 on the high end, available for less at many retailers; available for Nintendo Wii only)
MUSIC
There's a plethora of games out there for fans of music. There are karaoke games, games that allow players to use instruments and now even games for aspiring DJs.
For families who want to play together, LEGO Rock Band and Band Hero offer the chance for parents and their kids to play and enjoy popular and language friendly songs. Of course you'll need the proper instruments, such as guitars, drums and a microphone, and those can be purchased in a bundle with the games or separately.
You can also download additional songs from the respective platform stores such as the Playstation Store or Xbox Live.
Game Details:
LEGO Rock Band (ESRB Rating: E+ for Everyone 10 and Up; $49.99 on the high end, available for less at many retailers; available for PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS)
Band Hero (ESRB Rating: E+ for Everyone 10 and Up; $59.99 on the high end, available for less at many retailers; available for PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and Playstation 2)
ACTION/SHOOTERS
Sometimes louder is better, and there's nothing louder than a good shoot 'em up video game.
There have been several good titles to come out this year for a variety of gaming systems, each one offering action-filled game play, stunning graphics and a storyline that keeps folks coming back for more.
Halo 3 ODST is the latest in the Halo franchise, but the first in which the player does not step into the boots of the legendary Master Chief. New weapons and technology will give gamers the chance to battle the Covenant in new settings.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the sequel to the first Modern Warfare and the latest in the popular series that began in World War II and has carried gamers into the modern age of war. This first person shooter lets gamers play across the world, in the snow, on the seas and in the desert, as they combat terrorism and work to protect the U.S. and its interests abroad.
Unchartered 2: Among Thieves, recently named game of the year at the Video Game Awards, brings the latest exploits of Nathan Drake back into the hands of gamers. Drake, a fortune hunter whose exploits take home across the world as he pursues the legendary Cintamani Stone.
Batman: Arkham Asylum brings the famed DC superhero back to the video game world. The Caped Crusader brings the Joker to Gotham City's famous prison only to see his greatest archvillian escape and take control of the prison. Now Batman has to bring him down while solving traps and avoiding the other criminals that call the prison home.
Assassin's Creed II is the sequel to the visually stunning and challenging sequel to the popular wide open game that now takes place during the Italian Renaissance and follows the exploits of the newest assassin Ezio.
Game Details:
Halo 3 ODST (ESRB Rating: M for mature; $59.99 on the high end, available for less at many retailers; available for Xbox 360 only)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (ESRB Rating: M for mature; $59.99 on the high end, available for less at many retailers; available for PS3, Xbox 360 and PCs)
Unchartered 2: Among Thieves (ESRB Rating: T for teen; $59.99 on the high end, available for less at many retailers; available for PS3 only)
Batman: Arkham Asylum (ESRB Rating: T for teen; $59.99 on the high end, available for less at many retailers; available for PS3, Xbox 360 and PCs)
Assassin's Creed II (ESRB Rating: M for mature; $59.99 on the high end, available for less at many retailers; available for PS3, Xbox 360 and PCs).
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To learn more about the ESRB Ratings, go online and visit www.esrb.org.
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