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Need help picking some games this holiday season? Here's a list of must-buy titles that will definitely aid in your decision making.
This is slated to be the most successful video game holiday season ever. With the Wii leading the pack, all three consoles will see record-breaking sales in both hardware and with their respective first-party software titles. Each console brings something different to the table: The Wii with its waggle and appeal to all generations while the 360 along with Playstation 3 tend to attract the hardcore, younger gamers with its competition and extensive online campaigns. This holiday season will surely have something for everybody no matter what their taste, and with so many titles coming out I have made a little wish list of sorts to help you decide what games to ask your mommy and daddy for. Enjoy!
Platforms: Nintendo Wii Super Mario Galaxy brings the excitement back into the Mario genre; it might be the best in the series, who knows. Either way, you will enjoy every second of the game as you guide your favorite red-hatted, overweight plumber through galaxies exploring secret planets and collecting stars to eventually defeat your arch nemesis Bowser and save your lady, the always-beautiful Princess. If you’ve ever played any Mario – especially Super Mario 64 – then this should be on your holiday wish list. Super Mario Galaxy is strikingly gorgeous considering it’s for the Nintendo Wii and this will give Wii owners the chance to dust off that glossy-white machine, put the sensor bar back on top of your television or table set and put that nunchuck/Wiimote combination to good use. The best deal going around as of now is Circuit City’s where you can pick up Super Mario Galaxy for only $35 on Black Friday. Of course deals change and retailers get lovey-dovey with gamers and make last minute holiday sales, so keep your eyes peeled cause this is a must-buy. Review coming soon.
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo DS If you’ve read my review then you already know that I’m in love with Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. And if you didn’t, well, now you do. This is another must-have title for any platform owner – whether it is the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 or PC you are sure to enjoy the newest chapter of the Call of Duty franchise. Infinity Ward finally took the plunge and deviated away from the World War II shooter genre and went with some hi-tech modernized goodness. With a wide-array of weaponry, ACOG scopes, red dot attachments, airstrikes, helicopters, claymores, and c4 you’ll be rocking some faces in no time. The multiplayer experience point system, in combination with Prestige Mode, the ability to create five custom classes and a total of 13 game modes will give you several months of pure enjoyment. I know this is a bit far-fetched, but you might even put down your copy of Halo 3 for Call of Duty’s multiplayer after you throw this game into your disc tray for the first time. Bottom line, your mom or dad’s $60 will be safe with Call of Duty. Read the review here.
Platforms: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation 2, PC  The first Guitar Hero not by Hamonix is just like its predecessors: awesome. Guitar Hero III features a well-balanced playlist featuring the works of classic bands such as The Smashing Pumpkins, ZZ Top, Poison, The Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, Alice Cooper, Rage Against the Machine and newcomers like The Fall of Troy, Senses Fail and The Killers. While the Wii version isn’t bad by any means, with the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 version you’ll be able to download new tracks via the PSN or Marketplace. Since its release there has been three song packs released, one of which is free. The wireless guitar is a plus, enabling you to jam out or look like a fool – pick whichever suits you best. Lastly, the new HUD’s provide nothing more than something new to look at, distancing itself from the past (Harmonix) and the present (Neversoft). Unless you’ve been following the franchise closely, you won’t be able to tell that the game has switched hands in anyway. Guitar Hero 3 is still, if not more of challenge than part two so you’ll be sure to get your fingers worked. Read the review here.
Platforms: Xbox 360, Playstation 3 Oh Jade Raymond, how we love thee. This game has been hyped since day one despite getting not-so-rave reviews after its glitchy demo mishap at E3. Taking place in the 12th century, you play the role of a disgraced assassin named Altaïr who is on a quest to restore his name within the Assassin Order of the Hashshashin sect. Your goal is to assassinate nine historical figures in Jerusalem, Acre and Damascus. What makes this game so special is the interactive environments and influence on bystanders. Essentially, what you do affects everything around you. For example, if you decide to stab an innocent citizen the people might gather up and attempt to kill you, but if you are incognito you will not have a problem. Your goal is to act stealthy and not attract any attention to yourself while you go and complete your missions. Did I mention Jade Raymond produced the game? Another perk is that the two console versions are almost identical, so you’re not missing out on anything no matter what system you decide to buy it for. Read the preview here.
Platforms: Nintendo DS Contra is back and is kicking ass harder than ever. Said to be one of the most difficult games around, Contra will get your blood flowing and your DS breaking. Utilizing the DS’ dual-screens, this 2D side-scroller takes places two years after Contra III: The Aliens Wars and on the same island as the original. From the difficult gameplay to the art style Contra 4 mimics the original NES version in everyway. A new feature thanks to the DS’ wireless capabilities is the co-op option; unfortunately this isn’t wi-fi enabled, but you can play on a local network with a friend. In addition, you have the ability to unlock interviews, comics, the original Contra, Super C and hidden characters making this a definite collectors item for DS owners and Contra fans alike. Page:
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Wednesday July 9 2008 | |||||
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