Top gifts for gamers
For younger gamers
Ÿ Super Mario 3D Land: $40
Console: Nintendo 3DS
Pros: Makes great use of 3-D
Cons: Requires the 3-D capability to play some levels, can cause eye strain
Ideal for: Bundling with the 3DS
This platformer from Nintendo brings Mario fully into the third dimension, finally taking advantage of the depth capabilities of Nintendo’s latest hand-held, the 3DS. Some areas of the game are almost impossible to complete without switching on the 3-D, which has certainly not been the case in the past. With good replay value and engaging levels, this is a must-have for 3DS owners.
Ÿ Kirby Mass Attack: $30
Console: Nintendo DS/3DS
Pros: Interesting concept, easy to grasp
Cons: Depends on the stylus for control
Ideal for: Younger children who can handle a bit of a challenge
One of the simpler titles coming out of Nintendo this holiday season, it’s surprisingly fun nevertheless. It has a somewhat off-the-wall concept: Kirby, the pink marshmallowy protagonist, has been split into 10 small versions of himself. Players need to command them with the DS/3DS stylus to solve puzzles.
Ÿ Dance Central 2: $50
Console: Xbox 360, requires Kinect
Pros: Great for groups
Cons: Takes up a lot of room
Ideal for: Tricking kids into exercising
Dance Central 2 builds upon a tried-and-true formula that worked for Microsoft the first time it released this Kinect title. Popular upbeat dance hits such as Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” and Britney Spears’ “Toxic” have earned this Kinect title a “T” rating for lyrics, but don’t let that deter you from picking it up for older children. The way the game breaks down the dance routines and encourages cooperation will appeal to all players whether they’re divas or wallflowers waiting to shine.
Ÿ Kirby’s Return to Dream Land: $50
Console: Nintendo Wii
Pros: Engaging multiplayer
Cons: Can be a little simplistic
Ideal for: Gamers who like to work together
This game’s strength lies in its multiplayer capabilities. The puffy protagonist teams up (somewhat inexplicably) with the villains from past games on a quest to reassemble a spaceship that’s crashed to Earth; each character has his or her own ability. The levels don’t offer much of a challenge for seasoned gamers, so it’s a good option to offer up at a sleepover or after-school hangout session.
Ÿ Patapon 3: $20
Console: PSP
Pros: Great outside-the-box concept
Cons: Audio could annoy parents after a while
Ideal for: Musically inclined gamers
One of the best new games out there for kids toting Sony’s PlayStation Portables, Patapon 3 is the latest installment of the music-based series that’s earned high praise in the past. The story in Patapon 3 differs slightly from its predecessors, but the basics remain intact. Players command the characters using rhythmic drum beats that signal orders to attack, defend and more. Parents may want to throw in a set of headphones with this game.
For older gamers
Ÿ Arkham City: $60
Console: Xbox/PS3
Pros: Makes you feel like Batman
Cons: Crowded cast of characters
Ideal for: Detectives who like to get their hands dirty
This game expands the setting offered up in Rocksteady’s hit “Arkham Asylum,” giving players nearly full run of Gotham City and the chance to step into Batman’s boots. In the new game, the mayor has decided to cede the slums to criminals and wall off several city blocks as a high-security prison. There are side quests, antagonists and hidden features to keep you busy long after your first run of the game, although all the extras can feel a bit tacked on.
Ÿ Uncharted 3: $60
Console: PS3
Pros: Fantastic story
Cons: Some targeting problems
Ideal for: Anyone with an inner Indiana Jones
This title from Naughty Dog takes players into the thrilling life of explorer Nathan Drake, as he searches for lost treasure in the middle of the desert. The highlight is its engaging story, which makes players feel as though they are the protagonists of a Hollywood blockbuster. The game also has puzzles -- more brain ticklers than brain teasers -- and, of course, plenty of shooting. There have been some complaints about the targeting system in the game being a little too sensitive. Ammo’s at a premium, so you might find yourself having to ease up on that trigger finger.
Ÿ Skyrim: $60
Console: PC/Xbox/PS3
Pros: Expansive and gorgeous
Cons: A little glitchy
Ideal for: Those who like to blaze their own trails
This ultimate game for explorers lets players interact with almost every part of the world, from far-off mountains to the books on the shelves in their local shop. Players can choose from a variety of attributes for their characters, which scale up depending on how often you use them. Bethesda Softworks has created yet another complete world in which players can get happily lost.
Ÿ Battlefield 3: $60
Console: PC/Xbox/PS3
Pros: Rich gameplay, including drivable vehicles
Cons: Not as fast-paced as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Ideal for: Players whose friends play Battlefield 3
One would be remiss to talk about Battlefield 3 without also talking about its arch-rival, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Both are solid shooters with different aims, making it almost completely a matter of preference. Battlefield 3 has more expansive maps and drivable vehicles, which I find preferable to Call of Duty despite its more varied options online. Ultimately, players should get whatever game their friends have for the best experience.
Ÿ Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword: $50
Console: Wii
Pros: A great follow-up to the series
Cons: Can be a bit repetitive
Ideal for: Lighthearted adventurers
This is a visually stunning and comfortingly familiar game for those who grew up with the series. The game has many classic elements -- you get to play, again, as the stalwart Link -- but avoids the trap of feeling like warmed-over nostalgia. Swordplay in this game depends on the Wii remote, and it’s probably the best sword-fighting the console has seen yet. Nintendo has streamlined the Zelda world for this game, making players travel over the same ground to find new elements. It’s not a perfect game, but it’s probably Wii’s best on offer this season.