Xbox Elite Console

As the Holiday Season continues, many people might still be trying to decide which gaming console to purchase as a gift – either for the full family or just a single person. That’s one of the things you should consider when choosing what type of gaming system to purchase. Should you get the Nintendo Wii? The Playstation 3? Or how about the XBox 360? It can all be a little confusing until you take a look at the gaming systems.

Nintendo Wii for Families

While not necessarily just for families, the Nintendo Wii makes a great gift for an entire family, with games that will keep them entertained (and in shape depending on what games you get – the Wii fit is a good gift.) That’s not to say you can’t get a Nintendo Wii for a single person, but it makes a terrific group gift on your holiday list.

Playstation 3 for Roleplayers

If you’re getting a game station for someone who is into role playing and strategy games, the Sony Playstation 3 might be the best game system to purchase in 2009. With a great selection of games (of all types), the system is made for solitary gamers who occasionally like to get online to challenge others.

XBox 360 for Halo

Xbox 360 online is a hit with many people who are really into gaming, making this system a winner for them. With a lot of great online games that will keep them busy for hours, the Microsoft Xbox 360 might cost a little more, but it’s worth it. If you can, go for the extra storage. There’s a lot of great deals out there this year.

The Winner?

Well, that’s up to you. As mentioned, these game consoles are good for anyone really, because they have such a wide selection of games. Do you disagree or agree with our generalized look at gaming consoles circa Christmas 2009?

Let us know
in a comment below!

2K Games and Bethesda Softworks teamed up to deliver this value-packed experience that combines 2006 Game of the Year Winner The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion with 2007 Game of the Year Winner BioShock into one complete package.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion took the gaming world by storm in 2006 and set a new benchmark for role-playing video games. With lush visuals, an expansive worlds and limitless character customization, there is a lot of player freedom and NPC interaction.

BioShock is a genetically enhanced shooter that weaves intricate storytelling with an intense journey though a decaying underwater Art Deco utopia gone nutso. Caught between powerful forces and hunted down by mutated citizens, you’re armed with a complete arsenal from simple revolvers to chemical throwers, but are also forced to genetically modify your DNA to create an even more deadly weapon: you.

If you know anything about video games, you know these have a reputation (and awards.) Being able to get both titles for one low price is truly a pretty cool thing. Just released, this is gonna be one cool package for summer 2009. Yeah, these are slightly older games, but if you never picked them up before, now’s the best time to get both of these award winning games for a price that really can’t be beat.

Like either game? Both games? Neither game? Let us know! (Leave a comment below…)

Unlike other games in the Halo franchise, Halo Wars goes back in time, letting you play UNSC troops or even the Covenant. For those who have played any amount of Halo (read: hours and hours of Halo), this is going to be a cool experience after fighting first person style in the future for so long.

Also unlike other Halo games, Halo Wars is an RTS (real time strategy) game. Unfortunately, if you’re a big RTS fan, you’re not going to be very impressed with the gameplay in Halo Wars. On the other hand, if you’re normally a FPS (first person shooter) player, Halo Wars may offer you an exciting new diversionary style of gameplay.

The game was created especially for the Xbox 360 and the Xbox controller, so even though it’s not exactly like a PC RTS where you have minute control over groups and squads, Halo Wars still does an adequate job of making controlling your army easy. When it comes down to it, Halo Wars is all about the battles, building up massive amounts of troops and sending them to vanguish your enemy – whatever side you might decide to play.

There is multiplayer gameplay, which adds a whole new level to the game.

If you’re a Halo fan, you’re going to want to check this game out.

And the music. The game uses a lot of hip-hop and eastern influenced tunes to put you into the mood of Afro Samurai’s world. If you didn’t know, the game is based on an Anime series. (If you don’t know what Anime is, well, go Google it…)

Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with the franchise. There’s not a lot to know other that you have an Afro, smoke cigarettes, and are out looking to avenge the death of your father. You’ll meet plenty of crazy characters from the Afro Samurai series along the way, getting to dismember and kill them in a variety of ways.

If you’re not into blood and guts and killing, this game is definitely not going to be for you. If, on the other hand, you’re somehow attracted to that type of thing (like Kill Bill the movie), you’re gonna love this game. It has a lot of flaws, but if it sells well, it may lead to other games in a series that continually gets better.

If you’ve played Afro Samurai for the Playstation 3 or Xbox 360, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below.

Until next time, keep gaming.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution broke down their top picks for all three major consoles, including the XBox 360, Sony PS3 and the Nintendo Wii. For the first two, their pick was Grand Theft Auto IV. For the Nintendo Wii they chose Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Parents.com has a list of their top 10 picks for 2008. These are more geared toward the younger gamer, but it’s an interesting list. Number one on their list was de Blob for the Nintendo Wii.

The Earth Times has a similar list of top video games for children. We Ski for the Nintendo Wii is on top of their list.

1UP, a popular video game site, has a list as well. They split theirs into games for the Nintendo Wii, PS3, 360, and Multiplatform Games.

If you’re interested in learning more about the top video games of 2008, Spike.com has information about the 2008 Video Game Awards which will air live on Sunday, December 14th at 9 p.m. The gala will witness the premiere of several eagerly anticipated games as well.

Although it’s a little late (Black Friday having passed), joystiq had an interesting guide to video game shopping on Black Friday 2008. As I said, it’s after the biggest shopping day of the year now, but it’s still an interesting read to see what was top on their list.

If you’re looking for your best bet, you might try comparing some of the lists above to see which games on which platforms show up on more than one list. If you find a video game that appears on more than one top video games for 2008, it’s a safe bet the game has something going for it.

What about you? What are your top video game picks for 2008?