Health & Fitness
Holiday Video Game Buyer's Guide
Got a gamer on your holiday gift list? Or are you looking to indulge yourself? Take a look at the latest titles; there's something for everyone here.
Shopping for a gamer can be difficult, especially when one isn't familiar with video games or the giftee has picky taste.
To make things a bit easier for anyone out there seeking a great title for the gamer in their life (or for themselves!), here's a list to help you pare down the choices, with offerings for a variety of systems and game genres.
Happy Hunting!
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(Note: The following prices are pretty standard among retailers; there could be variations, depending on sales or promotions, and the retailer itself.)
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The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Platform: Wii
Rating: T (13+, animated blood, comic mischief, fantasy violence)
Price: $49.99
The latest installment in the Legend of Zelda series, Skyward Sword boasts a deep adventure, a compelling storyline, and a lovely art style. The addition of motion controls with the use of the Wii Motion Plus adds to the fun of the game, with the player having to use strategic sword swings to take down their foes (a Motion Plus controller is required to play and is sold separately). Perfect for the action-adventure type looking for combat and story.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Platform: PS3, XBOX 360, PC
Rating: M (17+, blood and gore, intense violence, sexual themes, use of alcohol)
Price: $59.99
A continuation of the Elder Scrolls series, Skyrim is an RPG (role-playing game) with a main story that takes 30 hours of gameplay, with additional content that adds roughly another 200 to 300 hours. With an open world to explore, no predeterimined course to follow, sidequest upon sidequest to engage in, and a load of dragon-hunting to take care of in the game's main quest, this is a treat that will take months to play through in its entirety. There's quite a bit to keep busy with in this game. Definitely for the older gamer, with loads of patience and a penchant for exploration.
Mario Kart 7
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Rating: E (comic mischief)
Price: $39.99
Mario Kart is back with the latest offering of fast-paced, koopa-shell throwing, banana-peel slipping, super star induced racing. With a few new characters entering the fray -- Lakitu, Shy Guy, and Metal Mario, to name just a few -- along with three new items and quite a few new tracks, this Mario Kart seeks to make a name for itself in the series. Also cool is the added ability to fly with a sail attached to your kart, or to plow through the sea underwater. Great for any gamer, young or old.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Platform: PS3, XBOX 360, PC, Nintendo DS, Wii
Rating: M (17+, blood and gore, drug reference, intense violence, strong language)
Price: $59.99 ($49.99 on Wii, $29.99 on Nintendo DS)
Call of Duty: MW3 takes place during a fictional WWIII in 2016, in various locales in Europe and the United States. Expect giant firefights and destruction in ultra-realistic enviornments, with the option to take on the game on higher difficulties, Hardened and Veteran. Online multiplayer allows for unlockable and upgradable weapons, with sixteen new maps to play on. Reserve this one for the older gamer.
Kirby's Mass Attack
Platform: Nintendo DS
Rating: E (comic mischief, mild cartoon violence)
Price: $34.99
In this latest addition to the Kirby series, Kirby is attacked by the evil leader of the Skull Gang, Necrodeous, and split into 10 versions of himself. He is saved by a star that appears, which is his heart, and tells him to follow it so they can defeat Necrodeous together. You must use your stylus to guide Kirby after the star, and as you defeat enemies you eat fruit - eat 100 fruit and you gain another Kirby, with up to 10 to gather. Swarm your enemies with multiple Kirbys to defeat Necrodeous! Great for any age, from younger, reading-age kids to adults.
Batman: Arkham City
Platform: PS3, XBOX 360, PC
Rating: T (13+, alcohol reference, blood, mild language, suggestive themes, use of tobacco, violence)
Price: $59.99
Taking place a few months after its predecessor, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Gotham has a new threat - an area of the city that harbors the inmates of Arkham Asylum and Blackgate Prison, and it's up to Batman to find out what's going on there. Fluid brawling, stunning visuals, and a storyline with twists and surprises make this anything but a throwaway superhero game. Realistic combat and mild language makes this suitable for older teens and up.
Super Mario 3D Land
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Rating: E (mild cartoon violence)
Price: $39.99
With a mix of 2D and 3D platforming, as well as allusions to classic Mario games and brand new features, items, and enemies, this addition to the Super Mario Bros. series is a great balance of nostalgia and innovation. The game gets hardest at the latter levels and beyond, providing challenge for veteran players and a great introduction to newbies. With the Nintendo 3DS's street-pass feature, if you have your 3DS on you and you pass by someone else with a 3DS and a copy of the game, you'll both automatically be sent a random mini stage to play. Great for gamers young and old alike.
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Platform: PS3
Rating: T (13+, blood, language, violence)
Price: $59.99
The fortune hunting, action, and dramatic twists and turns are back in the third installment of the Uncharted series. With outstanding cinematic quality, impressive graphics, solid combat and firefights, and character development, Uncharted is a blend of adventure, exploration, and quality storytelling. Better suited for older teens and above.
Kirby's Return to Dreamland
Platform: Wii
Rating: E10+ (mild cartoon violence)
Price: $49.99
Kirby makes two appearances this year, and this offering on the Wii is just as fun. Kirby and his friends Metaknight, King Dedede, and Waddle Dee seek to help out the alien Magolor find the missing 120 energy spheres from his ship after it crashlands on their home, Planet Popstar. Play the game alone, taking advantage of Kirby's ability to inhale enemies and copy their abilites, or play with friends in multiplayer, with up to three additional players taking control of Kirby's friends. Good fun for all ages.
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Platform: PS3, XBOX360
Rating: T (13+, mild language, partial nudity, suggestive themes, violence)
Though Marvel vs. Capcom 3 was released earlier this year, many fans complained of a lack of characters compared to the other games in the series, as well as being light on gameplay modes. UMvC3 adds 12 new characters - Strider Ryu, Doctor Strange, Ghost Rider, Hawkeye, and Phoenix Wright, to name a few, along with two new game modes, Heroes and Heralds and Spectator mode. Online multiplayer, Arcade, and versus modes are in this version of the game as well. A solid fighter to play alone or with friends.
