So the holidays, as you might have heard, are right around the corner. If you're reading this site, then December probably means the same thing to you that it does to me: gaming! Some of my favorite Christmas memories are of getting a new system or game I'd been salivating for, and having friends over to play. I’m 27 now, and have my own place, but some things haven't changed: I still look forward to Christmas Day as a time to game with abandon in a relaxed setting. This time of year is all about doing what you love, with the people you care about.
Some of you in gaming circles might be wondering what should be on your Christmas list. Or maybe you've got a cousin to shop for, and you can't get him on the phone to ask what he wants because he's got a Wiimote in each hand. I'm here to help. Here's a rundown of what's good out there right now, the best of the best of what you can give this year.
Xbox 360 Pro Holiday Bundle with 60G Hard Drive
There are a lot of people out there who are still skeptical about the 360. Let me assure you: this is the best time to get one. After a price drop and a nice incentive, you get the Xbox, a 60G hard drive and two games, "Kung Fu Panda" and "Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures," for $299 altogether. The Lego Indy game is really pretty entertaining, and "Kung Fu Panda" would be great for a kid. Actually, the 360 itself is a pretty kid-friendly system, and it's the kind of thing you can grow into, since 360 games run the gamut from "E for Everyone" all the way to "M for Mature." If you're looking for a family entertainment system, you could do worse than Xbox 360.
One additional tip: if you don’t like the games the 360 comes bundled with, some places actually let you swap them out. If you're near a place that lets you do this, you might as well give it a shot, because you could end up with something great. Standouts for the holidays: "Gears of War 2," "Fallout 3," "Left 4 Dead," "Call of Duty: World at War."
Nintendo DS Lite in Mario Red
This is a nice special-edition bundle that retails for $149. You get "Super Mario Bros." for DS and a Mario Red DS with a little "M" on the cover. By my lights, this is pretty cool, second only to the Zelda DS mod released last year with the Triforce emblem on it.
The DS is probably the best handheld system out there. The games are cheap, and if you have certain software and hardware, you can get every DS game on it for free, plus movies, pictures and music. It's a very versatile system and would make a great gift for the casual or hardcore gamer. Some standout recent releases include "Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia," "Metal Slug 7" and "Chrono Trigger DS."
Netflix
Although not game-related, the Xbox does have Netflix access, so if you want to give somebody the gift of movies and you know they have an Xbox, this is definitely the way to go. You can give subscriptions climbing from small (about $4.99 a month) up to large (about $16.99 a month). Gamers love movies, for the most part, so this gesture is likely to be appreciated.
PlayStation 3
I'm recommending the PS3, but only for the Blu-ray player. If you know someone who has an HDTV and likes to game, but doesn’t have a Blu-ray player, you get two uses out of the PS3. Your friend will enjoy the decent selection of games, and the Blu-ray makes it almost worth the price, which hopefully will come down as we near the end of the month.
At this point the tech is great in the PS3 and it’s mostly for the casual gamer. If you have the cash to spend, I suggest the PS3 with an HDTV; you can do both for under a grand. Standout games and movies: "Resistance 2," "The Dark Knight."
Newegg
As far as I’m concerned, Newegg is a great site for almost any kind of tech deal. I get most of my games from them at a few bucks off, and a premium account gets you next-day shipping. They've got much in the way of hardware and accessories, and their review system is top-shelf. I suggest you keep them in mind for Christmas gifts, especially anything gaming-related, because the service is reliable and timely.
Wii Fit
For a while, the Wii Fit was sold out everywhere; now, it's pretty easy to find, and at a nice price reduction, too. This is one of the best Wii games around. Not only does it help you exercise (sort of), but there are also a ton of fun games with which you can while away the hours. The pad is set to be used for a slew of games due out in 2009. If you missed your chance with the Wii Fit earlier in the year, grab yourself a copy -- retail should run you about $89.99 -- and have a fun time. It’s the only accessory that lets you play a game with your butt.
For the kids
"Lego Indiana Jones" and "Lego Batman: The Video Game." Or, you know, a book or something.
