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You've already memorized the list by heart: Rock Band, Bioshock, Mario Galaxy, Call of Duty 4, Mass Effect, The Orange Box, etc. The list of AAA titles this year is huge, but as you continue your slog through the malls to find the perfect gift, don't forget that there are more than just those games out there.
With so many huge titles out there, it's inevitable that many perfectly good games will be shunted to the side in favor of their bigger, flashier console-mates.
But think about this: maybe your giftee already has all of the top titles, or your friend is an indie kid who doesn't like anything anybody else thinks is cool, or maybe you have a little holiday cash of your own burning a hole in your pocket. Whatever the reason or whoever you're shopping for, Sports Legends has a list of the five games for each platform that may not have been critical or mainstream darlings, but definitely deserve a second look this holiday season.
Wii.
Zack and Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasue
"Zack & Wiki is a puzzle solving adventure that might look easy thanks to its colorful visuals and cutesy characters but it's anything but: the game will challenge you nearly as much as the NY Times Sunday crossword."
Trauma Center: New Blood"With two surgeons in the same hospital, there's a lot more than just equal opportunity at work here. The best addition that New Blood brings to the table is its multiplayer co-op mode. Two players can work together to complete the various operations, with each doctor receiving their own separate score; naturally, this allows for a competitive angle that further ramps up the tension and anxiety already innate in Trauma Center series."
Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles"Umbrella Chronicles does a lot of things right. It combines the atmospheric charm of the ResEvil series with awesome light-gun gameplay, then throws in a wealth of bonus material to unlock and discover. It's the perfect way to prepare yourself for the upcoming Resident Evil 5."
Geometry Wars: Galaxies"The Wii version of Geometry Wars is a great port and the developers overcame the one potential hurdle--the controls. You move with the Nunchuk's analog stick, activate your bombs with the C button and aim your shots with the Wii Remote. It works surprisingly well, though some hardcore players will probably find it less accurate than a dual-analog setup. The simple graphics also translate well to the Wii and the game retains the awesomely psychotropic visuals."
Battalion Wars 2"The character-driven plot is entertaining and provides a few good laughs. The visual style is consistent at every turn, with gorgeously rendered cut scenes and almost Disney-styled game sprites. Time-specific filters added to scenes as well as some amazing anime-style tank and helicopter drawings look right at home in the BW universe, marking Kuju's astounding attention to visual detail."
Xbox 360.
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation
"Like a deck of cards, Namco Bandai has been shuffling its games among next-generation consoles in hopes of a winning hand. One of its most popular franchises--the Ace Combat flight-action series--deals a surprising new hand with an exclusive engagement on Xbox 360."
Tony Hawk's Proving GroundAfter skating with Tony Hawk for almost a dozen titles, the Birdman's brand of virtual skateboarding is starting to feel a little stale. However, Proving Ground manages to breathe some new life into the franchise and it should please virtual thrashers who haven't yet tired of the franchise's formula.
FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage"On looks alone, Ultimate Carnage could easily take top prize as you tear across farmland at a hundred miles per hour, cut through wooden fencing and junkyard piles, all while slamming into the competition. It's a beautiful sight, indeed. From urban speed traps, to mountain bypasses, to destruction derby arenas--everything looks phenomenal and runs smoothly without a single hitch."
Conan"The long and satisfying boss battles against huge fiends like the Elephant Demon and Sand Dragon fare better, even if their timed button-pressing cues owe a great deal to God of War. Waiting more than half a minute for the last checkpoint to load each time you die doesn't do wonders for immersion, but slowly whittling each deity down to size provides some of Conan's most fulfilling moments."
BlackSite: Area 51"That said, the gunplay, which follows the standard FPS formula of 'see bad guys, shoot bad guys,' is solid and fun; it's also bolstered by an interesting morale system where, if you perform well, your comrades get a small boost to their own skills. But let your team get into dire straits and their abilities take a small penalty. It's not revolutionary but it is an interesting system that rewards skilled gunplay."
PS3.
Uncharted: Drake's Fortune
"... while Uncharted will frustrate you, it also has the capacity to be thrilling and fun. The game offers up some amazing visuals and the gameplay is perfectly paced. You're always doing something interesting, whether it's investigating ancient ruins, trading bullets with modern-day pirates, or skydiving out of a burning airplane. And even though I never truly bought into the story, I still wanted to help Nathan solve the mystery behind Sir Francis Drake's diary."
Folklore
"Folklore also plays out in a fairly linear fashion, though the levels that you traverse are interesting. From the Hell Realm to the Faery Realm to the Undersea City, the locales are unique and wonderful. Despite the game's faults, I was drawn into the game for the same reasons that we are drawn into fairy tales--I wanted to see what was just around the next corner. "
Skate
"While the search for money and recognition is the driving force behind this game, there are plenty of side challenges to divert your attention. There's also more than ample opportunity for skating around the city and just messing around; which may actually be the most fun aspect of the game and makes me wonder if these games even need set goals."
Sega Rally Revo
"People looking for the thrill of lighting paced races should look no further. Rally throws you into the driver's seat without much fuss, and races rarely disappoint your hunger for speed. But fans of racing games full of special objectives and cool upgrades will be disappointed; there's something kind of refreshing about this simple approach, but it doesn't give the gamer much motivation to play for the long haul."
Warhawk
"Going online is delightfully painless and simple, and as soon as you join a game, your character will spawn at your chosen drop point. Immediately, there is no doubt you are at war; bullets are flying by your head, bombs are exploding off in the distance, and a thick cloud of smoke billows out of a burning building."
DS.
Orcs and Elves
"Orcs and Elves is a classic dungeon romp with straightforward gameplay: armed with a weapon and a talking magic wand, you move through an underground environment fighting all kinds of monsters, solving puzzles and grabbing all kinds of loot. However, the magic of Orcs & Elves goes much deeper. This is one of those weird "one more minute" gaming experiences where, once you get started, it becomes extremely difficult to stop."
Dementium The Ward
"One of the more challenging aspects of the game revolves around only being able to hold one item at a time. Initially it was frustrating to choose between holding a flashlight to see or a weapon to defend myself, but when the first monstrous larva broke out of an incubator and slimed in my direction, I discovered just how frightening the dark can be. "
Cooking Mama
"The sequel is much better because it incorporates more recipes, more tools and tasks, and more modes and bonuses. You can still prepare each dish with Mama looking over your shoulder but there is also a mode where you prepare specific dishes for a virtual friend: there are no instructions and if you mess up even one step, you ruin the entire dish. It can be frustrating to have to start over a dish just for one little mistake but it's also addictively fun."
Touch Detective 2 1/2
"This curiously named sequel is basically the same game as the first--Mackenzie still lives in her house with her butler, Cromwell, and Funghi, the sidekick of who-knows-what species. The spaced-out Penelope shows up with a problem and Chloe isn't far behind, ready to stick her Super Sleuthing nose into everyone's business."
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations
"If you loved the first two installments in the franchise, then Trials and Tribulations definitely has more of what you're looking for. Newcomers to the series will be better served by picking up the first Phoenix Wright as part of the series' charm lies in getting to know the characters over time."
PSP.
SOCOM: US Navy SEALs: Tactical Strike
The SOCOM series has gained notoriety not only for having game titles as long as some term papers, but also for producing quality shooters in modern settings. It's not much of a stretch, then, that the franchise would wade into the squad-based tactical shooter arena as they have with Tactical Strike. Luckily for fans of the series, this first entry is a worthy enjoyable first foray into the genre.
Monster Hunter Freedom 2
"Once you get a grip on how to kill and not be killed, the flood gates will open for you. Monster Hunter Freedom 2 has more content than you will ever know what to do with. There are no experience levels in Monster Hunter, and your primary means of advancement are through improving your gear by crafting materials obtained from downed foes, the environment, mining, farming, or fishing."
Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command
Whether you're new to the Warhammer 40k universe or a hardcore vet, you owe it to yourself to check out Squad Command. This turn-based strategy game is a great addition to the franchise and should tide you over until the inevitable release of Dawn of War 2.
Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology
"Honestly, Radiant Mythology does absolutely nothing new--especially if you've played Tales games before--but I found myself having a lot of fun hacking and slashing away through beautiful dungeons. Also, the story is more than serviceable, thanks to the new characters and the fun of crossover characters. RPG fans who have been looking for something to take on the road should definitely try out Radiant Mythology."
Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron
"The Battlefront games can quickly be summed up as a beefy Battlefield 1942 mod with a coat of Star Wars paint over the battlefields of Europe. Unique to the Battlefront games are the space battles, which pit two opposing fleets against each other and offer much TIE fighter vs. X-wing goodness."
-Sports Legends CEO
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