Holiday Buyer's Guide 2009
Don't know what to get for your family, son, daughter, husband, friend, or whoever? Check out our guide for a few pointers on what's worth getting for who.
For the Family
As one of the most popular releases this summer, Wii Sports Resort takes advantage of Nintendo's latest peripheral the Wii MotionPlus to provide a more realistic experience. With twelve different sports to choose from, most of which can be played with more than one person, ranging from basketball to archery, there is something here for everyone.
As the sequel to Wii Fit, Wii Fit Plus makes a great effort at not only expanding upon the core elements of the previous game, but adding many new great features. Players can now completely customize their workouts, weigh small children as well as pets, and enjoy one of the several new workouts. For those who enjoy working out with a partner, just grab another balance board and enjoy a multiplayer session.
One of the greatest multiplayer games to come out, Rock Band will most certainly bring the whole family together for a session of cooperative jamming. Just pick your instrument of choice, whether it be the guitar, bass, drums, or vocals, and your skill level, and rock the night away. With a song list containing plenty of variety there's something here for everyone, and with the ability to download songs, the gameplay will never become stale.
The veteran of the music genre, the Guitar Hero genre has been around from the beginning and knows how to make a great music party game. Players select their desired band position and rock away to one of the many pre-loaded songs. Whenever the gameplay begins to get stale and players are in need of something new, there are plenty of downloadable tracks to add-on.
By now, players are thoroughly familiar with the gameplay found in the Rock Band series. Once again, players will use their replica instruments to play Guitar, Bass, and Drums. In The Beatles: Rock Band, two players can perform harmonizing vocals, mimicking the world-renowned and loved band. Though the game only contains a little over forty songs, it is steeped in Beatles style and lore which will undoubtedly appeal to parents who grew up with the band. Kids trying to get their parents into the series will likely have more luck with this special edition title.
Also Available On: Xbox 360 & PS3
Mario's gang is once again revving up their engines in a brand new Mario Kart title featuring a slew of new levels, characters, and cars. Pick your favorite character and a car, and race around one of the many new or classic levels, as you bomb, ink, and shell your way to victory. Besides many of the classic cars, makes sure to try out the newly added bikes.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii is the 2D side-scrolling Mario game that everyone has been waiting for. Its preceding game has been wildly popular, but for many lacked something that made the original titles on the NES and Super Mario World on the SNES so magical. The Wii version takes this to heart, and offers an experience that falls in line with both Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World, while working in support for four simultaneous players. Parents and children alike can enjoy one of the Wii's best titles of the year all together.
Any gamer looking for a great strategy title will be incredibly satisfied with Dawn of Discovery. Build a colonial settlement from the ground up, starting as mere settlers and working your way up to aristocratic status. This game is tough, but at the same time forgiving, and all of the elements one needs to manage make this a great game to play with the family.
Also Available On: DS
LucasArts brings another addition to their ball flinging, tower tumbling, series with Boom Blox Bash Party. There's dozens upon dozens of brand new challenges for players to take on, bringing back some original puzzles types from the first, while adding plenty of new ones. This is without a doubt a must buy for families with kids of all ages, as everyone can take turns flinging, grabbing, and shooting, while everyone else can help by providing their suggestions. Just don't forget to put on those Wii Remote wrist straps - no one wants to break their brand new HD TV.
A simple concept surrounded by unique features gives Marble Saga Kororinpa its defining characteristics. Players will roll a marble along a path that twists, turns, and quite literally flips upside down. Using only the Wii remote, players will experience an incredibly well done puzzle title with multiple difficulty settings that will satisfy gamers of all skill levels.
Excite Truck was one of Nintendo's few leading titles when the Wii originally released over three years ago. The game experienced great sales encouraging a sequel of sorts. Excitebots is that sequel, but this time rather than going for the mundane with trucks, players will control wacky bots in what amounts to be a fast-paced obstacle course. Though the game only supports two players at a time, the on-screen antics will keep bystanders engaged.
Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time
The latest title in the Ratchet and Clank series provides gamers of all ages an entertaining romp through a unique universe full of charm and challenge. There's something here for everyone, whether they enjoy flying, ground combat, or puzzle solving, everyone in the family will be able to score a piece of the action.
The latest title in the Buzz! series is a quiz game that offers a plethora of questions across a broad range of subjects. This title is perfect for families who enjoy playing quiz games. Additional questions can be purchased through PSN through theme specific question packs.
Downloadable Service Points
At this point in the game, every console available has downloadable content. Whether they be complete games, tools, or retro titles, there is some type of DLC to suit every gamers taste and needs.
These point cards are sold online and in-stores for varying increments, and make the perfect gift for any gamer.
Comments