One of the questions I get from parents and friends is "What game and/or system do I buy for _______?" I know that the 13 year old wants Call of Duty: Black Ops and its assumed the younger kids want something for the Wii. I have a problem with both these gifts. Here are some tips on how to give "cool gifts" and a way to be a Santa...
Let's deal with the teenage crowd first. A 13 year can play Black Ops and be really good at it, the problem I have is going online with a game like this. The single player campaign is only half the game in most of these FPS. I have heard the argument you can't always control what your kid does on Xbox Live or PSN but you can. There are a ton of other great games out there this Holiday season. Black Ops promotes little Billy being locked in his room yelling into his headset till 3 in the morning. Its the Holidays damn it lets get everyone in front of the Xbox, PS3 and Wii. Here's a few winners to try instead:
ModNation Racers - PS3 - this game is Mario Kart but better. The commentary is funny and the controls are very pick up and play. Plus the races are short so everyone gets a turn.
Viva Pinata - Xbox 360 - There mini games are fun and can get fierce fast. Plus some of the games favor the players who are losing to make it closer so anyone can win
Pac Man Championship Edition - Xbox 360 - Look online on sites like Ebay for the compilation disc which I think has Uno on it to. Its a throw back for 30 something gamers and puts you on the same plane as the new generation. Again games are timed at 5 minutes so its outstanding.
Super Mario Bros. Wii - 4 player action and not a lot of buttons to learn. Much like Pac Man brings old and new gamers toward a common goal... fun.
Lego Anything - All platforms - Lego games are very good games for parents and kids to play together. The games themselves are easy. Finding 100% of the items and unlocking everything is tough. Plus for parents the guides are all over the Internet so if you can't find something look it up. Let the good people at Google help you find it. I find IGN has a great site with good guides.
Move and Kinect are great family fun but are much more expensive. Move can be costly at $100 for the starter kit and $50 for an additional wand but that covers 2 people. Only 2 people can play Kinect at a time for the same $150. Both come with a game and are fun. For the Move, if kids are around EyePet is pretty cool and for Kinect Kinectamals is cool too.
Most the games listed above can range from $10 - $40 with the peripharals (Move and Kinect) going for much more. Also those maybe harder to find.
I know what you are thinking though what is going to make me look like the hero this Holiday season.....
Another game system... I know I know but its always cool to have 2 systems. The PS3 is one of the best BluRay players on the market and the new Xbox slim has built in Wifi and a new sleek design. What better way to graduate from the Wii then to get into "next generation gaming". Want to make it better, have it hooked up on Christmas morning. If you have a great gift idea, leave it in the comments.
