PixlBit

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

Action

Fighting

Tatsunoko vs. Capcom

Tatsunoko vs. Capcom is an odd title, pitting several Japanese super heroes from a company named Tatsunoko against many video game characters from Capcom in a tag-team, head-to-head fight. The game has flashy, stylistic attacks based on these characters' origins and abilities, but the simplified combo system may be enough to serve as an introduction to the zany, but intense fighting genre and Capcom's Vs. series, which will be updated in February 2011 with the much more familiar Marvel vs. Capcom 3.

Super Street Fighter IV

Super Street Fighter IV brings in new characters and new experiences. Street Fighter gameplay can be simple enough to get into with enough complexity for developing advanced, personalized strategies. Street Fighter is ultimately a multiplayer experience, but the look and feel of Super Street Fighter IV does not fail to please. Considering the price and the content Super Street Fighter IV automatically packages in over the original Street Fighter IV, it's a great fighter to have and would be a nice addition this holiday season.

Also Available On: PS3

Platformers

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

Mario returns to his roots in this new side-scrolling platformer that both fans and newcomers can play and enjoy... together! For the first time in his illustrious 25-year history, up to three friends can join Mario on his quest to rescue fair Princess Toadstool from the clutches of the evil King Koopa. Mario and company can don two new power-ups, the propeller and penguin suits, which help them through level after level of challenging platforming. Players can work together to tackle the game's eight worlds, or duke it out in an all-out battle to collect the most coins before reaching the stage goal post.

Super Mario Galaxy 2

Although this game stays so close to the formula of the original Super Mario Galaxy that it will contain no surprises for those who played it, the galaxies in it are some of the most creative, imaginative, inventive, beautiful, and, most importantly, enjoyable worlds that have ever existed in any Mario game. With fun power-ups such as the drill and rock suit, the return of Yoshi, and a guide to help along inexperienced players, this adventure appeals to both longtime fans and new players alike. Whether or not you experienced the original game, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is one title that no Wii owner should be without.

Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition

This re-release of Super Mario All-Stars for the Super NES contains Mario's four side-scrolling masterpieces on the NES with a 16-bit makeover for its graphics and sound. Although the original Super Mario Bros. and its direct sequel are a little rough around the edges, all four games in this collection are timeless classics that are every bit as playable and enjoyable as they were at the time of their release. There's nothing here that fans haven't seen many times before, but the soundtrack, exclusive history book, and limited availability make this package one that no die-hard Mario fan should be without.

Donkey Kong Country Returns

After a fourteen year hiatus, Donkey Kong Country from Nintendo has returned, courtesy of Metroid Prime developer Retro Studios. This time around, the game offers true co-operative play, allowing two players - one controlling Donkey, the other Diddy - to play through a challenging, lengthy quest. As usual, the monkeys are trying to recover their banana hoard while inadvertently ridding the world of a great evil. Beautiful graphics, high quality gameplay, and intelligent level design make for a game that any platformer fan will love. Even the younger crowd could enjoy the title, as it includes Super Guide, which will assist those having trouble through to the finish of the level.

Shooters

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Call of Duty: Black Ops is the latest entry in the popular Call of Duty series, and follow-up to the smash hit, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Looking down the gun barrel as a Cold War special ops soldier as he recollects his numerous past operations, Black Ops takes you through a cinematic and action-packed roller coaster ride of firefights as you battle against a host of enemy forces. Once you've played through the solo adventure you can join the throngs of online players. Starting out you have a limited set of weapons and options to choose from, but throughout the game you earn points to spend on new unlocks helping you play better and customize your soldier in unique ways. This is where many people's core experience is located and players have already logged dozens of hours in as they compete to get a higher score and achieve victories on a plethora of maps and game modes. Call of Duty: Black Ops is a sure-fire hit for those fond of shooters.

Also Available On: PS3, PC, and Wii

Vanquish

While third-person shooters have undoubtedly become more prevalent in recent times, none are quite like the fast-paced, frantic Vanquish. Those who have enjoyed games like Gears of War will undoubtedly connect with Platinum Games' latest, which is similar in some ways, but much, much faster during the heat of a battle. Players have the ability to easily slide around at fast speeds, and engage slow motion to effectively destroy hordes of robots in a post-apocalyptic world embroiled in a futuristic war. With arcade-style scoring, the Sega published shooter offers loads of replay value that will have players coming back well into next year.

Also Available On: Xbox 360

Survival Horror

Resident Evil 5 Gold Edition

If you like the idea of an action-packed, fast-paced Resident Evil game, this is a game that will satisfy your desire. If you like Resident Evil as it was, with its survival-horror aspect and conservation, this may not be your favorite venture. The main aspect I want to point out is for the PS3 version: Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition fully supports PlayStation Move. This offers more opportunities to enjoy Move and the zombie-blasting action of Resident Evil 5. Controlling the game via pointing and motion control is a very enjoyable experience, which fans of Resident Evil 4 on the Wii should be familiar with. If you're in the mood for an action-oriented Resident Evil, or you haven't played Resident Evil 5, then you should buy this game, particularly if you have a Move.

Also Available On: Xbox 360

Action

Dead Rising 2

It's been a few years since the outbreak of zombies, at least in the world of Dead Rising. Since then, zombies have been made into a sick sport in Fortune City, where motorcyclists compete to kill the most of them with chainsaw oars in a time limit. Chuck Greene is stuck in the middle of this brutal sport in order to provide Zombrex to his daughter to keep her from transforming into the undead. As you might expect, something deeper is happening at Fortune City, and after the zombies housed there get loose, Chuck takes it upon himself to get to the bottom of it and get himself and his daughter out of harm's way.

While the latest in the series doesn't take place in a mall, and you don't have a camera, the similarities to the first game are still pretty monumental. Players will go about collecting items from the surrounding casinos and malls that make up the game area, and use them to both kill psychopaths throughout the mall, and save innocents from the zombie horde. Players are still shackled to the time limits and events come and go as they play through it. Weapons can be combined now, allowing Chuck to destroy zombies and psychopaths quicker and more tactfully. Overall, the game is a much smoother experience from the last Dead Rising, allowing for easier rescue of friendly characters and better fights via the psychopath battles. It has as much character as one could imagine, so if you have a fan of the first in your household, you'd do well to grab them the sequel.

Also Available On: PS3 & PC

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle

There's no question that No More Heroes 2 is an obscure title that few will have likely heard of, however, most gamers who love action games will find themselves enjoying the follow-up title from Grasshopper Manufacture. Players now have access to dual-wielded light swords, which, once again, must be used to seamlessly smash enemies into a bloody mess. Tossed between these fights are retro throwback games that mimic Atari and NES games of yesteryear. Of course, the boss fights are as big and bad as ever, providing players with a solid 10-12 hour experience that never lets up.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions

Comic book fans rejoice! Spider-Man finally has a title to be proud of in his latest multiplatform release, Shattered Dimensions. Here Amazing Spider-Man, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Man 2099, and Ultimate Spider-Man clash together due to an interdimensional imbalance caused by Mysterio. In each different dimension, Spider-Man has a different set of abilities, and the gameplay reflects the universe players are currently battling through. Impressive levels and great boss designs that revolve around popular and obscure Spider-Man villains truly make for a Spider-Man game that fans can love. Even those with a passing interest in the popular super hero can appreciate the best Spidey game-to-date.

Also Available On: Xbox 360 & Wii

Monster Hunter Tri

As the title suggests, a monster hunter hunts monsters of grandiose scale. Hunters trek out on quests, alone or in groups online, to bring down behemoths, aiming to receive valuable material from the beasts or their bounties to build stronger weapons and armor. The game has a Bear Grylls feel to it as most anything needed can be made from raw material gathered from the land and its beasts – food included! Monster Hunter Tri has a titanic amount of replay value online as quests and challenges rotate, offering rare items as rewards. The title is great for people who love playing online multiplayer games, but hate paying monthly subscription fees. This is one gift that can keep on giving long past when most people forsake their New Year's resolutions.

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood

In a direct follow-up to last year's Assassin's Creed II, Brotherhood continues the story of Ezio. The latest in the series employs team-based attacks, as Ezio now commands an army of assassins after the murder of his Uncle during an attack on his villa. If stealth-based, open-world gameplay wasn't enough, the game incorporates an up-to-eight player online multiplayer mode that allows players to exercise their assassin skills on players around the world. Fans of the series and those who love in-depth stories and lengthy quests will find plenty to enjoy in the latest from Ubisoft.

Also Available On: Xbox 360

Metroid: Other M

The Metroid series is back once again this year on Wii, providing for an entirely new and unique experience. Players once again take control of Samus, but this time, not from the first-person perspective we have become so familiar with. Instead, players are back in third-person in a partially three-dimensional world with a much bigger emphasis on action. Those who enjoyed the likes of Super Metroid, Metroid Fusion, and/or Metroid Zero Mission will love this latest outing, as will those who enjoy modern action games like Ninja Gaiden, Castlevania, or even Devil May Cry.