Special: Holiday Buyer's Guide 2010

Holiday Buyer's Guide 2010

The PixlBit staff has put together the go-to game guide for all holiday shoppers, gamers or not.

Music

Rock Band 3

Accolades

Rock Band 3 is currently the pinnacle of music gaming. With drop-in, drop-out multiplayer, harmonic vocals, and a catalog of songs numbering over 2000, the Rock Band franchise is at a point where it has no equal. The game is great at parties or with a dedicated group to form one band. Those willing to invest in an advanced Rock Band Guitar controller can use the game's Pro Mode to learn the actual chords in many of the game's on-disc songs, but the more realistic mode isn't available in most of the platform's other songs.

Also Available On: PS3 & Xbox 360

The Rock Band Keyboard

The Keyboard is the latest Rock Band accessory available for Rock Band's music platform. Since it's a new instrument, it isn't fully implemented in most of the platform's songs, though most new downloadable songs released do contain keyboard parts. If you know a gamer who has a complete set of Rock Band accessories but is missing the keyboard, it might just be the holiday's must-have item for said person.

Korg DS-10 Plus

Accolades

Have any true music enthusiast friends or family? Do they aspire to create their own tracks, but don't have the means currently to do so? Do they have a Nintendo DS or DSi? If you answered 'Yes' to these questions, KORG DS-10+ is a perfect holiday gift. The handheld sythesizer allows players to create a diverse set of tracks with virtual equipment that perfectly mimics its real world counterpart. Multiple track layers, mixing and sound modification abilities, as well as composition tools allow for unbelievably deep track creation. The best part? It retails for a mere $35, which makes it a great stocking stuffer.

DJ Hero 2

Accolades

Wait, don't go! I know you're probably sick of the Hero series by now, but DJ Hero 2 puts a new spin (literally) on the series with its unique turntable controller and mashed-up tracks made specifically for the game from modern popular dance, rap, and R&B music. It's hard to imagine, but even those who don't like the defining genres that comprise the tracks, will undoubtedly enjoy the crossfader and turntable scratching gameplay which truly brings the tracks to life. With the ability to play with two turntables and a microphone this time around, DJ Hero 2 even makes for a serviceable party game. Those who didn't really connect with Guitar Hero or Rock Band due to musical tastes, DJ Hero 2 might just offer the tracks and gameplay experience they have been looking for.

Also Available On: Xbox 360 & PS3

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Jason Ross Senior Editor

12/14/2010 at 02:08 AM

Since we stuck to titles that could be found on the major consoles, we left out Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty. If you know anyone with a PC powerful enough to play the game and an interest in gaming, consider StarCraft II.

I'm pondering an editorial about misleading gift games that shouldn't be given to anyone without a specific request, mostly because they're hit-or-miss or might lull gift-givers into a false sense of security. Toy Story: Midway Mania and Disney Epic Mickey would definitely be on that list, since they're probably not the quality one might expect from their names.

Anyway, despite having my name on it, this thing really was a PixlBit staff collaboration. I put together the base-work, Nick, Chessa, Kathrine, Nate, Chris, and I all wrote-up the various games, and then Nick made it look all nice and fancy.

Share your own recommendations in the comments, if you like!

Matt R Staff Alumnus

12/14/2010 at 02:15 AM

Three different thingies that tell you the game is fun in groups? One of them should've been -has online play-. I haven't read the rest yet though but you could do better with the badges.

birdo badges.

12/14/2010 at 02:20 AM

Different sorts of groups! Different people like different ways of gaming. You're right to recommend information about online play, though. I'll see if we can't add something like it, and once we do, update the guide with that information once we compile it all and make it fit in.

12/14/2010 at 02:36 AM

Motion Puss Enhanced Badge.

AUGHH MY ARM Waggle Badge.

These are what people care about.

Nick DiMola Director

12/15/2010 at 10:22 AM

Looks like Jason added in the Online Enabled accolade. Now you can further refine your purchase choice based on if a game goes online, if you so please.

Joaquim Mira Media Manager

12/15/2010 at 03:10 PM

I think that 3D Dot Game Heroes to be much more akin to A Link To The Past than the original Legend Of Zelda.

12/15/2010 at 03:17 PM

Yeah, I think it settles firmly between those two experiences. I think A Link to the Past is a bit more advanced, but 3DDGH is most definitely ahead of the original Zelda.

12/16/2010 at 01:13 AM

For some odd reason, Chris didn't like 3D Dot Game Heroes. I didn't play it yet, but Link to the Past is the Zelda game I do like, and I noticed the resemblance, too. I did watch him play it when the guy was trying to make the wife choice that was in Dragon Quest V. That was definitely worth a laugh or two, right there.

12/22/2010 at 04:30 AM

Excuse the double post.

It just occurred to me we left out Kirby's Epic Yarn. That's right. We left out what might be one of the most friendly games out there. A game that can be picked up and played just to play. Kirby's Epic Yarn is an especially great title for folks new to gaming. It's impossible to die, it has a cute storyline, similar to a children's book, too. The game has merit on anyone's shelves, but it would make an especially great gift to people with a Wii who are just looking for light-hearted fun.

PixlBit

Holiday Buyer's Guide 2010

Music

Rock Band 3

The Rock Band Keyboard

Korg DS-10 Plus