Null's Holiday Video Game Gift Guide

Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:11PM EST

See Comments (64)

The Working Guy needs time off, I tell ya. Time away from the grind so that he can relax. While I've always been a gamer, this year has provided some of the best gaming titles I've ever seen. The market has noticed: Gaming is on a pace to easily hit a record sales level this year.

Without further ado, here are some of my best picks for the gamer on your holiday shopping list. 

Special thanks to GameStop for providing review copies of many of these titles!

Super Mario Galaxy - Try as I might, I can't put this game down; it's definitely the best game of the year, at least for single-player action. Until now, the many sports-oriented games on the Wii, like Bowling and Tennis, have been amusing diversions, yet they offer very limited replay value after you get the hang of it. Super Mario Galaxy shows you exactly what the Wii was made for, with nearly endless variety in its gameplay that shows exactly what those motion-sensing controllers can do. Plus, it's just crazy fun. If you have a Wii, you must play this game. 

Rock Band - A close second to Mario, Rock Band is the ultimate party game and fun on your own as well. I reviewed the game extensively at the link above.

Assassin's Creed - You don't get the chance to play many games set during the Crusades. In Assassin's Creed, you are deeply immersed in this rich and detailed environment to a degree that's rarely been seen before.

Guitar Hero III - Not the riot that Rock Band is, namely because the song selection just isn't as good. Maybe I'm just bummed that they turned Judy Nails from a punk chick into what looks like a pro wrestler. Still lots of fun if you're into the guitar genre.

BioShock - This gorgeous steampunk adventure is one of gaming's crowning achievements in artistry. If they gave out awards in art direction for video games, BioShock would win handily. Plus, this underwater actioner is tons of fun.

Halo 3 - Your gamer buddy is probably already bored of Halo by now, but on the off chance he hasn't finished the final story in the saga of the Master Chief, definitely get it for him. Used copies are already selling for less than $40, making it a bargain in an age of $60 game titles.

Mass Effect - Some are calling it the best game ever made for the Xbox 360, a sci-fi stunner that has you and a squad of two pals on a quest to, what else, save the universe.

Smarty Pants - A fun Wii diversion in the form of a trivia game. Nice for families, as you can vary the questions by age, even if you're playing competitively.

Comments on Null's Holiday Video Game Gift Guide

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  • 46 Posted by twisno1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    what in the world is smarty pants?.... you need to add some more games but other wise that is a good list = ) keep updating it = )

  • 50 Posted by fmg200 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    Your list is a disgrace to gamers. Get off Yahoo you joke.

  • 51 Posted by strongarmjohn on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    Mr Null,I cant argue with u on yhe list so far.hats down bcause this is the list of best games so far this year.Keep updating the list.Thanks

  • 52 Posted by lbhofeldt on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    what, no Orange Box? that's definitely better than all of those (wel, except GH3 and rock band)

  • 53 Posted by stjames70 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    Because of your fan boy favoritism for Nintendo and Wii, you fail! PS3 has put forward some awesome 1st party titles including Uncharted Drakes Fortune and Ratchet and Clank Tools of Destruction. It is clear going into 2008 PS3 has the momentum and has not yet taken it's gloves off yet swinging unlike the 360. The Wii and 360 had better watch out...

  • 54 Posted by fmg200 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    i hope you guys know assassins creed is complete garbage its only worth a rent, its sad to say that the combat should have been turn taken instead of the way they made it

  • 55 Posted by gr8items4bid on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    If you want a good PC game for Christmas I suggest getting World Of Warcraft. It has a Expansion set as well. the Expansion will proably be game of the year. Whole set togther cost about $60.

  • 56 Posted by nbbutterfly079 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think you totally overlooked Ratchet and Clank Tools of Destruction. That game is hands down way better than Mario Galaxy. You may want to check it out.

  • 59 Posted by brodys_daddy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    I like how that one kid was saying pc is better than console, "you dont't have to update it every two years to play new games"???? WTF kid? u gotta get a new video card like every 6 months on pc to play new games. Seriously no mention of PS games on this list cause you three people that whined about it are the only americans that bout a PS3. Everyone has a 360 or Wii. Mass Effect is the best single player experience since Ninja Gaiden. Halo 3 is best multi-player game ever. That's not objective its just fact. no other game can match the multiplayer quailities of Halo. Assassins Creed was fun becuase it was something different. CoD4 AMAZING FPS that deserves mention. And sorry to the haters but Rock Band is 3x better than Guitar Hero for an obvious reason. Plus don't get mad and say something ignorant like GH set is better than Rock Band's....it's not. I am glad that Bioshock was mentioned....just an all around great single player game. Still if you want to get someone an amazing console with great game selection, you have to get on ebay and buy them a sega-cd....merry xmas

  • 60 Posted by tightcashflow2004 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    um i dont even own a ps2 or a ps3 and im wondering why you have not said one game for ps3. i do have wii and would like mario galaxy. hey stjames70 the wii hasnt yet put out many games that are up to par with galaxy. wii has alot of room to grow just like ps3. the 360 is starting to hit a wall. i wouldnt count the wii out for a while. on the other hand ps3 is still a tuff sell good luck on getting anyone to buy a blueray player that also plays video games. sony should have made a gaming machine. not a high def movie player in a video game systems cloths. sony keeps on pushing its blueray and they forget some of us dont care about 1080p or high def video just yet. not to mention meny of us don't own high def tvs. maybe ill care in 3 or 4 years but for now its a waist of money.

  • 61 Posted by noodlesandus@verizon.net on Sun Dec 9, 2007 2:01AM EST Report Abuse

    first a comment to sandy sho..That was probably the most incoherent post I've ever seen. How on earth did you link a game commentary to one being a religious zealot? Now for games: Was introduced to PC gaming 1 yr ago, got my first computer 10 yrs ago, at the age of 40. LOVE Bioshock, Call of Duty 4. Incredible graphics, with little risk of boredom. Another excellent game of course is Crysis. BEWARE OF QUAKE WARS. This is without a doubt one of the most poorly executed games ever made. Graphics are unsophisticated, and not only is dialog irritating, it's laughable. " I'm a medic" and " thank you". ( that's the whole thing). Quake Wars should issue an apology..AND a REFUND!!

  • 62 Posted by richinthelbc on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    ----- THE WRITER OF THIS ARTICLE! The worst complaint he can come up with about Guitar Hero 3 is the JUDY NAILS LOOKS LIKE A PRO WRESTLER. Shut up you are stupid! There are plenty of complaints that I have with the game as with all games. You play them enough and you go well that is really cool but wouldn't it be better if they did this instead. Denying that GH3 it is a rad game is like saying air is bad for you to breath. Also The song selection is just as good or better than Rock Band. Which if you recall people is a huge bite off GH Right? It's the same ----- game add a singer and drums! I really hate the writer of this article you can tell he is writing it with some sort of agenda. Not from a gamers stand point and I am sure as heck not with any actual thought put into it. GO ----- YOURSELF!!!!!

  • 63 Posted by lupy61 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why is Call of Duty 4: Modern Warefare not on this list? It will be the game of the year!

  • 64 Posted by flark202 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    Drakes Fortune, Call of Duty 4. INCREDIBLE!

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