Looking for a great video game for your guy? With so many games to choose from, picking the right one can be a little daunting. That's where I come in. With my 10 holiday video game picks, you're bound to find something for every type of gamer.
For the Disney nerd: Epic Mickey.
Fans of the brilliant Kingdom Hearts games will find a lot to like in Epic Mickey's warped take on classic Disney characters. (Look for appearances from everyone from Fantasia's Yen Sid to Mickey precursor Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.) Use Mickey's magic paint brush to morph and change your environment as you traverse the twisted world of Wasteland and watch how your choices affect the game's outcome. A treat for Disney fans, and one of best Wii games to date.
For the guy who wants to unleash his inner Jason Bourne: Call of Duty: Black Ops. The hottest game of the holiday season puts you in the middle of various Cold War-era conflicts. (It's the only game that features both a zombie mode and an appearance by JFK.) As a history lesson, it's questionable at best. But if you're playing Call of Duty to learn anything about real-world geopolitical skirmishes, it's safe to say you're doing it wrong.
For the guy who dances whenever "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" plays at the bar: Michael Jackson: The Experience.
Dance along with The King of Pop (well, with dancers recreating his moves) to "Billie Jean," "Smooth Criminal," and tons of other classic hits. While it's not the most accurate dance simulator on the market (the Wii only tracks hand motions, so you might want to opt for the more immersive Kinect version), the game is a thrill for anyone who has ever attempted the "Thriller" zombie hands in front of a mirror.
For your Level 30 Paladin: World of Warcraft: Cataclysm.
If the words "Azeroth," "raid," or "Blizzcon" mean anything to your guy, it's safe to say he wants this latest expansion in the seemingly never-ending MMORPG (ask your nerd to explain that one).
For the guy who just got an iPad: Angry Birds HD.
The best-selling "birds vs. pigs" game is one of the best reasons so far for shelling out for an iPad. Be careful-- you might also get addicted.
For the retro-gamer: Super Mario Bros. All-Stars Limited Edition
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mario with this deluxe set that includes 1993's Super Mario Bros. All-Stars, Super Mario Bros. 1-3, and Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels. (That's four games for $30!) You also get a CD soundtrack containing every classic Mario theme, as well as a 32-page booklet tracing the history of the beloved turtle shell-tossing plumber.
For the guy who needs a decent game for his PlayStation Move: The Fight: Lights Out.
If your guy is an early adopter of PlayStation Move, Sony's attempt to beat Wii at their own motion control game, he's probably frustrated with the lack of quality games currently available. The brawler The Fight: Lights Out lets you use the Move to punch the bejezzus out of scores of tough-looking dudes. Forget the family games-- your guy wants to use the Move to do some serious damage. Plus, your trainer is none other than Danny Trejo, aka Machete.
For the guy who's already in line for Tron Legacy: The Tron Controller.
A new controller is never a bad idea (hardcore gamers have a tendency to wear them out), so why not opt for the insanely cool new Tron version? Toss in a copy of Tron: Evolution, the new game that bridges the '80s Tron and Tron: Legacy, and you'll have one happy geek.
For the guy who hates controllers: Microsoft Kinect.
Microsoft's latest gaming console seeks to put an end to controllers through motion capture action. While the launch games aren't terribly exciting, the novelty of controlling onscreen characters with your hands will be a hit at parties. (Just make sure you have a big living room-- the system requires at least 8-10 feet of open space.) Plus, being able to control all of your entertainment options with voice commands and hand motions means we're one step closer to the world of Minority Report.
For the guy obsessed with Westerns and The Walking Dead: Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare.
Blast zombies while riding around on a flaming horse of the apocalypse in the latest expansion pack for the year's best game. It's all the fun of The Walking Dead without all the tricky moral dilemmas.
Also try: Rock Band 3 adds a keyboard, new pro levels, and a great soundtrack (Tears for Fears! .38 Special!) to the venerable music series...fans of Nintendo DS puzzle games will dig Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, the latest critically-acclaimed entry in the gorgeous-looking series...The Shoot and Time Crisis: Razing Storm make fun use of the PlayStation Move's kind of silly-looking handgun add-on...
For the Disney nerd: Epic Mickey.
Fans of the brilliant Kingdom Hearts games will find a lot to like in Epic Mickey's warped take on classic Disney characters. (Look for appearances from everyone from Fantasia's Yen Sid to Mickey precursor Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.) Use Mickey's magic paint brush to morph and change your environment as you traverse the twisted world of Wasteland and watch how your choices affect the game's outcome. A treat for Disney fans, and one of best Wii games to date.
For the guy who wants to unleash his inner Jason Bourne: Call of Duty: Black Ops. The hottest game of the holiday season puts you in the middle of various Cold War-era conflicts. (It's the only game that features both a zombie mode and an appearance by JFK.) As a history lesson, it's questionable at best. But if you're playing Call of Duty to learn anything about real-world geopolitical skirmishes, it's safe to say you're doing it wrong.
For the guy who dances whenever "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" plays at the bar: Michael Jackson: The Experience.
Dance along with The King of Pop (well, with dancers recreating his moves) to "Billie Jean," "Smooth Criminal," and tons of other classic hits. While it's not the most accurate dance simulator on the market (the Wii only tracks hand motions, so you might want to opt for the more immersive Kinect version), the game is a thrill for anyone who has ever attempted the "Thriller" zombie hands in front of a mirror.
For your Level 30 Paladin: World of Warcraft: Cataclysm.
If the words "Azeroth," "raid," or "Blizzcon" mean anything to your guy, it's safe to say he wants this latest expansion in the seemingly never-ending MMORPG (ask your nerd to explain that one).
For the guy who just got an iPad: Angry Birds HD.
The best-selling "birds vs. pigs" game is one of the best reasons so far for shelling out for an iPad. Be careful-- you might also get addicted.
For the retro-gamer: Super Mario Bros. All-Stars Limited Edition
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mario with this deluxe set that includes 1993's Super Mario Bros. All-Stars, Super Mario Bros. 1-3, and Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels. (That's four games for $30!) You also get a CD soundtrack containing every classic Mario theme, as well as a 32-page booklet tracing the history of the beloved turtle shell-tossing plumber.
For the guy who needs a decent game for his PlayStation Move: The Fight: Lights Out.
If your guy is an early adopter of PlayStation Move, Sony's attempt to beat Wii at their own motion control game, he's probably frustrated with the lack of quality games currently available. The brawler The Fight: Lights Out lets you use the Move to punch the bejezzus out of scores of tough-looking dudes. Forget the family games-- your guy wants to use the Move to do some serious damage. Plus, your trainer is none other than Danny Trejo, aka Machete.
For the guy who's already in line for Tron Legacy: The Tron Controller.
A new controller is never a bad idea (hardcore gamers have a tendency to wear them out), so why not opt for the insanely cool new Tron version? Toss in a copy of Tron: Evolution, the new game that bridges the '80s Tron and Tron: Legacy, and you'll have one happy geek.
For the guy who hates controllers: Microsoft Kinect.
Microsoft's latest gaming console seeks to put an end to controllers through motion capture action. While the launch games aren't terribly exciting, the novelty of controlling onscreen characters with your hands will be a hit at parties. (Just make sure you have a big living room-- the system requires at least 8-10 feet of open space.) Plus, being able to control all of your entertainment options with voice commands and hand motions means we're one step closer to the world of Minority Report.
For the guy obsessed with Westerns and The Walking Dead: Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare.
Blast zombies while riding around on a flaming horse of the apocalypse in the latest expansion pack for the year's best game. It's all the fun of The Walking Dead without all the tricky moral dilemmas.
Also try: Rock Band 3 adds a keyboard, new pro levels, and a great soundtrack (Tears for Fears! .38 Special!) to the venerable music series...fans of Nintendo DS puzzle games will dig Professor Layton and the Unwound Future, the latest critically-acclaimed entry in the gorgeous-looking series...The Shoot and Time Crisis: Razing Storm make fun use of the PlayStation Move's kind of silly-looking handgun add-on...
Leave a comment