Year's top video games satisfy fans of sports, 'Star Wars'
If you're looking to put video games on your holiday wish list, we're here to help. We sorted through dozens of this year's new titles for kids and picked our five favorites. There are options for fans of sports, racing and the ever-popular "Star Wars" movies. Read on for the lowdown.
"Skylanders: Imaginators"
Publisher: Activision
Platform: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii U
Rating: Everyone 10+
Price: $74.99-$99.99
Details: "Skylanders" is back, and this latest iteration is the coolest one yet. Fans of the series will be familiar with the gameplay: solving puzzles, platforming and fighting enemies with toy-to-life characters that come from figurines placed on the Portal of Power. But what makes this release so cool is that players can create their own characters, known as Imaginators. Almost every aspect of your character can be customized: class, fighting style, name, voice, powers, appearance, etc. These custom Imaginator creations can then be shared with other players via Creation Crystals (which you can carry with you). The Crash Starter Pack comes with the game, four Skylanders figures, one Creation Crystal and the Portal of Power.
"Forza Horizon 3"
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Platform: Xbox One and Windows 10
Rating: Everyone
Price: $59.99
Details: We're big fans of the Forza Horizon series, and the latest game is something special. This time, the Horizon Festival takes place in Australia, where players will race not only on regular paved roads but also off-road. As the new director of the festival, you have to make it the biggest one in the world. To do that, players will take part in events throughout Australia, seeking out racing talent and hiring them to be a part of the festival. You can even hire and fire your friends! As you win races and events, more areas of Australia open up. Players can collect, customize and race with more than 350 of the world's coolest cars, from sleek Lamborghinis to all-wheel-drive cruisers. No question: "Forza Horizon 3" is the year's best racing game.
"Super Mario Maker"
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: 3DS
Rating: Everyone
Price: $39.99
Details: "Super Mario Maker" for the Wii U was one of our top games last year. As of December, you'll be able to experience the same magic on 3DS. The game will feature more than 100 built-in courses, and players will have access to courses that were originally designed on the Wii U. Can't finish a course? No worries: With the game's new share feature, players will be able to collaborate with others and then release it to the world.
"Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens"
Publisher: WB Games
Platform: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, 3DS, PlayStation Vita, Wii U and PC
Rating: Everyone 10 and older
Price: $29.99-$59.99
Details: We're not gonna lie: We love "Star Wars." We also love Lego games, and the latest game does not disappoint. Following story lines of "The Force Awakens," players are on an amazing adventure in which they take on roles of their favorite "Star Wars" characters as they fight the First Order and its quest for galactic domination. What makes this game great is that players are able to visit locations and interact with characters that were shown only briefly in the movie. After playing through it, we had a better understanding of the movie and the events that transpired in it. To give the game an added level of authenticity, the movie actors - including Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley and John Boyega - lent their voices to the characters. The Force is strong with this one.
"Destiny: The Collection"
Publisher: Activision
Platform: Xbox One and PlayStation 4
Rating: Teen (for animated blood and violence)
Price: $59.99
Details: Feel like saving the universe and all of humanity? Choose one of three classes - Titan, Warlock or Hunter - each with special abilities and powers. Then team up with two friends and venture out to planets across our solar system trying to stop alien threats. The Collection is a great value because it's like getting five games for the price of one. You get the original game and all downloadable content released till now. The single-player campaign has enough challenges for even the most seasoned gamer. And once you feel up to the task, you can try competitive multiplayer modes, in which winners get rewarded with ultimate loot.
PlayStation VR
Looking to get into virtual reality (VR) without breaking the bank? Check out the new PlayStation VR, which came out last month. It's plug and play for only $400 ($500 for the bundle). The experiences may not be as robust as the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift, but you can't beat the price.
How does it work? In the box there is a special processor unit that plugs into the headset and the PlayStation 4 - sort of a pass-through. This device communicates with your PS4 and lets you experience VR in the headset. What's also really cool is that people can watch what you're experiencing in the headset on your TV. In the VR world, that is called "mirroring."
The PlayStation VR headset works in conjunction with the PlayStation Camera. The PlayStation Camera (sold separately for $60) tracks the lights on the headset (nine of them). So when the player's head moves left, right, up, down and around, the camera picks it up. It can even pick up when you're standing and when you're sitting. We were surprised how accurate it was, but we found that ideal lighting conditions make all the difference. When the light wasn't "just right," the camera would lose us, and that led to a choppy VR experience.
In terms of control, you have two options: a PlayStation PS4 controller (which everyone has if they have a PS4) or PlayStation Move controllers (which have been around since the PS3 days and are compatible with the PS4). To get the true VR experience, we recommend getting the Move controllers. Having these controllers gives the users "hands" in the virtual world.
There are more than 24 games and experiences available for the PlayStation VR, with more in development. Some of our favorites include Driveclub VR, EVE Valkyrie, Job Simulator and REZ Infinite.