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Metal Gear Solid IV, Gears of War 2 and Super Smash Bros. Brawl lead off our list of the 51 Must Have Games list! The store shelves are jam packed with amazing titles but knowing which games are worth your hard earned cash can sometimes be difficult. But there's no need to worry: Sports Legends has done all the heavy lifting for you! We've put together a list of games that's sure to satisfy anyone on your holiday shopping list.
Despite some lingering issues with the hardware's reliability, the Xbox 360 had a strong 2008 with a killer line-up of must-have 3rd party titles as well as some incredible first-party efforts. If you own a 360 or are planning on purchasing one this holiday season, you are in for a treat with a well-rounded library of titles from every genre.
Gears of War 2
More Gears of War? Yes, plz. Game design rockstar Cliff Blizenski and his cohorts are back with the followup to the award-winning Gears of War. Packed with more action and bullet-holes than an Arnold Schwarzanegger flick, Gears of War 2 is exactly what the Xbox 360 needed heading into the holidays: an exclusive title that's worth every penny of the purchase price. When you're done rampaging around in the single-player mode, go online for a deep and satisfying multiplayer component that'll have you blasting away into the wee hours of the night.
Call of Duty: World at War
Infinity Ward didn't develop this quasi-sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, but that won't stop you from getting a huge vicersal thrill out of this razor-tight online shooter. The thematic shift back to World War II may seem boring, but it's not -- this is the most violent, hysterical depiction of WWII ever presented. Any first-person shooter veteran worth his salt should already own COD: World at War. But if the anti-Treyarch hype kept you away so far, know this: World at War is a shockingly solid successor to COD4. If the gripping single-player campaign doesn't grab you, the four-player co-op and massive online battles will.
Fable 2
Famed developer Peter Molyneux received a lot of flack over the first Fable; he made some promises that weren't kept and many gamers took him to task over it. The game also failed to live up to the extraordinary hype that was generated. Regrettably, the game, which was still pretty good, faced an uphill battle upon release. Well, Fable 2 was much less hyped and the pie-in-the-sky promises were kept to a minimum; the result-a fantastic game that finally lived up to the expectations of gamers. Offering a deep and engaging RPG experience, Fable 2 is another crown in what has been a great year for the Xbox 360. Peter Molyneux, take a bow: you finally delivered the Fable game that we can all be proud of.
Grand Theft Auto IV
There's no denying the influence that Grand Theft Auto has had on the video game industry. Terms like "open world" and "sandbox" didn't gain a foothold in the gaming lexicon until Rockstar unleashed GTAIII on to the masses; the series is so influential that Features Editor Dave Rudden placed that game in the number one slot in his book, "The 25 Most Influential Games of All Time." (Available now!) But while GTAIII and its offshoots-Vice City and San Andreas-helped establish Rockstar's vision, GTAIV is the title that fully brought it to life. Offering an incredibly detailed world with near limitless possibilities, the game's scope and ambitious gameplay elements left a deep and indellible mark on the industry. It fully leveraged the power of the next-gen consoles and only strengthened Rockstar's powerhouse reputation. It's the very definition of the term "must have title."
Prince of Persia
Ubisoft took a big gamble with the original Prince of Persia reboot, taking the classic 2D side-scrolling platformer and transforming it into a slick 3D platformer with acrobatic moves and a neato time-shifting mechanic. The series went onto spawn a few sequels-one lackluster, the other well-received-but Ubisoft understands that you have to keep up with the times in order to be successful. This explains why they went back to the drawing board for their next-gen installment in the series. With a new visual style, a reimagined Prince, a mysterious new heroine and slick new gameplay, Prince is a bold new step for the long running franchise.
Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
Nuts & Bolts picks up ten years after the events of Banjo-Tooie and we find that Banjo and Kazooie have really let themselves go. A mysterious figure known as the Lord of Games (LOG for short) sets our heroes on an adventure in the hopes of working them back into shape. Banjo and Kazooie are transported to Showdown Town, an open-world hub that links them to several Game Worlds where the dynamic duo can prove that they're still hero material. The best thing about Nuts & Bolts is that it never takes itself seriously, constantly seizing every opportunity to poke fun at itself as well as past Rare titles. Nuts and Bolts features a hilarious script that really augments the gameplay. The graphics are also gorgeous and vibrant and the level design is constantly varied and always interesting.
Far Cry 2
The jam-packed holiday season got its first AAA shooter in Far Cry 2, a title that's more spiritual successor than direct sequel to its tropical island-set predecessor. The lush jungles and blue waters have been replaced with dusty roads and wide-open plains, and the lame, Xbox-only feral abilities -- the ones that had us running around like rabid kitty cats -- were thankfully dropped. This time out, gamers were treated to an experience that couldn't possibly be pigeon-holed into a single genre; a masterful mix of shooting, open-world exploration, and some light stealth and RPG elements, culminate in the most engaging "FPS" we've played since donning Gordon Freeman's horn-rimmed specs.
Tales of Vesperia
Tales of Vesperia is very much a Tales game, so if you're familiar with the series, then you'll feel right at home. The series has its own quirks and unique sensibilities, so your enjoyment may depend on how much you liked other Tales installments. Vesperia stars Yuri, a retired knight, who gets caught up in a mystery when an important Blastia-it's sort of like a programmable magic bauble-is stolen. You can guess what happens after that: you go out, meet characters, fight battles and unravel the larger plot. Tales of Vesperia is a fairly straightforward Japanese RPG, which isn't a bad thing at all. Sure, it's cliched and it doesn't reinvent the wheel. We're not telling you to run out and buy it as the next big innovation in role playing, though; I'm saying if you have a soft spot in your heart for RPG games and you liked the other Tales titles, then this is a pretty safe bet for you.
Too Human
Heavy weapon action meets armor and weapon looting in Too Human, the closest game to Diablo II in eight years exclusively on the Xbox 360. Despite fairly low review scores, Sports Legends says that, "while it's not perfect, Too Human definitely has enough going for it to silence its critics." At its core, Too Human is an action game with an RPG twist. Players choose one of five distinct classes that range from the Berserker's dual-wielding breakneck speeds to the powerful tanking abilites of the Defender class -- each character can be leveled up to 50. Then you're plunged into the world of futuristic Norse mythology, which depending on your interests will either enthrall or bore you to death. Luckily, playing Too Human online in cooperative mode skips the Norse bullhonky and gets right to the goods -- killing and looting. The killing part is easy thanks to a simplified control scheme which maps all attacks to the right thumbstick. You're going to be fighting a lot of cybernetic robot goons with fairly devestating ground game, so launch them into the air to dish out ultra juggling damage. And just like in Diablo II or World of Warcraft, rare loot items will drop that you're going to either equip to grow stronger, trade or sell. Too Human isn't a robust action game as say God of War, and it isn't quite full RPG; it's a smooth blend of the two with extremely addicting gameplay, pretty graphics, and tons of items to loot and comb through.
Dead Space
Why? Because it's like playing a horror movie where you're the masked assaillant who emotionlessly hacks and slashes through countless victims (in this case, hideous undead creatures called "Necromorph"). And true to horror movie form, there's virtually no plot, only a series of increasingly savage killings using tools such as buzzsaws and plasma cutters. The atmosphere, graphics, and survival-horror gameplay in Dead Space are among the finest we've ever played, and may represent a new high-water mark that 2009 games such as Resident Evil 5 will have to meet. If you choose to skip Dead Space, you're missing out on one of the best horror games ever devised.
Mass Effect
A truly "massive" experience -- forgive the bad pun -- Mass Effect is to the console RPG genre what Star Wars is to sci-fi movies: an epic example of what can be done with the right combination of technology and storytelling. Launching from developer Bioware like a Star Destroyer disembarking from the Death Star, Mass Effect was exactly what the RPG starved Xbox 360 nation needed. It featured a fully realized galaxy to explore, complete with solar systems and planets which you could explore for goodies. There was a ton of loot to unearth, a deep and sweeping storyline that encompassed the entirety of the game's universe, characters you actually came to care about and a dialouge system that was heralded for its complexity and depth. It did just about everything right and even though it was plagued by a few minor issues-curse you, slow moving elevators-it was a game that deserved every ounce of praise it received.
2008 was the year that Sony's monolithic console finally saw some titles worthy of the horsepower lurking underneath its shiny hood. Konami's epic Metal Gear Solid IV tops the list but there are plenty of games that prove the PS3 isn't just a glorified Blu-ray player.
Metal Gear Solid IV
Hideo Kojima's epic Metal Gear Solid IV was one of the first titles to truly push the PS3 to its limits. Even the massive Blu-ray disc was a hurdle that had to be overcome-there was much discussion as to whether or not the game would have to be shipped on multiple discs. But there's no denying the end result-Hideo Kojima and his team delivered what is, without a doubt, the PS3's masterpiece, its Mona Lisa. Cutting edge graphics, amazing action, thrilling gameplay and the most badass superspy in all of gaming equals a ginormous win for Sony fans. Sure, the story was insanely unwieldy and often-times nonsensical but you'll be too busy marveling at the ridiculous production values to notice. Seriously, owning a PS3 and not purchasing MGSIV is like buying a Ferrari and never taking it out on the freeway: it's damn near criminal (but obey traffic laws, plz).
Resistance 2
Bigger, badder and better than the first, Resistance 2 improves upon the formula set by its predecessor in almost every way. Unfortunately, a handful of minor issues, such as less than stellar graphics, keep this game from reaching the high bar set by competing titles like Call of Duty 4 and Gears of War 2. Still, with its interesting single-player campaign and robust online component, Resistance 2 has plenty to offer any PS3 owner looking for a quick and easy shooter fix.
LittleBigPlanet
LBP has been rated by Sports Legends to be effective in the treatment of boredom. LBP may induce a medical condition known as "smiling." Side effects may occur but are all beneficial; upon playing LBP, gamers reported feeling a sense of joy as well as a general sense of well-being. Gamers will also experience fun and may feel inspired after playing LBP. LBP is for everyone and no prescription is needed. Buy it today!
Gran Turismo 5: Prologue
Eye-popping graphics: check. Ridiculously realistic gameplay: uh huh. Super tight controls: yep. One of the best racing sims available on home consoles: you betcha. An incredibly tasty appetizer to whet your appetite for the upcoming Gran Turismo 5: hell yes. If you like racing games, GT5 is one you should definitely own.
Mirror's Edge
It's innovative, it offers a unique experience unlike anything I've ever experienced before, and it's fun. The combat sucks and the story leaves you scratching your head but the combination of free-running and urban gymnastics coupled with the intensely intimate first-person view is a relevation. When the game is at its best, it's one of the most thrilling games you'll ever experience; it's just too bad that it isn't at its best all the time. However, a sequel is sure to come out soon which will hopefully address all of the complaints. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and play the game-you're guaranteed to experience some "Holy Crap!" moments that are worth savoring. Best of all, the PS3 is getting some sweet DLC consisting of time-trials and levels that put the emphasis squarely on the game's selling point: sweet, sweet free-running action.
Dead Space
One of the best survival horror games ever made, period. EA proves that Capcom isn't the only company capable of producing a great action horror title. Go play it already; just keep the lights on when you do.
MotoGP 08
At its best, Moto GP 08 is a realistic, stripped down racer that constantly challenges you to take a few seconds off you lap time. At its worst, it is a frustrating game with few milestones with which to track your achievements. Either way, Moto GP is a blast from the moment you step on the gas and pass the starting line!
Valkyria Chronicles
As the flames of the war spread across the continent of Europa, the peaceful country of Gallia is pulled directly into conflict when large deposits of Ragnite -- a mineral more valuable than gold, as well as the catalyst for the Second Eurpoan War -- is discovered beneath the neutral Gallian landscape. As the fascist Empire forms a hostile invasion on the Gallian frontier, it's up to the country's citizens to form a militia and defend what is rightfully theirs. Enter Welkin Gunther, nature lover, aspiring teacher and son of legendary war hero Lieutenant Gunther. On a trip back to the peaceful Gallian city of Bruhl, Welkin is caught in the midst of the Empire's first march against Gallia. Drafted by hot-headed Alicia Melchiott, head of Bruhl's town watch, it's only a matter of time before Gunther finds himself in charge of the Gallian Militia's 7th Squad.
Motorstorm Pacific Rift
This follow up to last year's MotorStorm delivers in a big way. Set in a tropical backdrop, Pacific Rift offers some of the most intense off-road racing I've ever seen. Races are divided up into the four basic elements; water, fire, earth and wind. Tracks from each of these categories are dominated by the elements they represent. Fire has you racing alongside volcanoes and jumping over streams of lava while tracks in the air circuit are up in the mountains and so on. Each category has more than enough tracks to keep you interested and every one has its own unique challenges.
Bioshock
PS3 fans waited a long time to get their hands on this fantastic FPS title but the wait was more than worth it. BioShock was nothing short of a revelation and much like Half-Life, it raised the bar for what could be done with the first-person shooter in terms of storytelling. Charged with venturing deep into the ruined underwater paradise known as Rapture, gamers were treated to a thrilling, spine-tingling experience that really drew you into the world. With tons of action, a fully realized world and intelligent storytelling, BioShock deserves to occupy a spot in every gamer's library. And good news for PS3 owners: you guys get access to exclusive DLC content!
Sure to be a hot commodity come holiday shopping time, the Wii continues to sell through the roof. Its robust library features games that have wide crossover appeal as well as some innovative titles that take gaming to a whole new level. As you will soon see, the Wii has a little something for everyone, from core gamers to casual players just looking for a little fun.
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
With an amazing roster of brawlers featuring the likes of newcomers Sonic the Hedgehog to Metal Gear Solid's own Solid Snake, Smash Brothers Brawl proved itself as one of the most highly anticipated games for the Nintendo Wii. The third game in the insanely popular Smash Bros. franchise Super Smash Bros. Brawl allowed players to take their Brawls online for the first time ever with Wi-Fi play as well as a deep single-player campaign featuring some jaw-dropping cinematics.
Mario Kart Wii
Okay, so maybe Nintendo didn't completely overhaul the Mario Kart formula this time around; but we see this as a good thing. Mario Kart Wii is, without a doubt, the ultimate version of the racing game, catering to fans of series as it featured some of the best race tracks from past iterations (tracks from everything from Mario Kart DS to Super Mario Kart for the Super NES) while introducing all-new ones. Plus, in Mario Kart Wii you have the option of riding dirtbikes instead of go-karts, which is one of the best features in the game.
Rock Band 2
Rock Band was never just a game -- it was a bona fide phenomenon. It changed the way we looked at, listened to, and played music in a video game environment and now that revolutionary experience is back and better than ever with Harmonix's highly anticipated sequel, Rock Band 2. While it doesn't reinvent the wheel, it's something every virtual rocker will want to get and crank up to eleven. In the infamous words of Dee Snider, "if it's too loud, you're too old!"
No More Heroes
This high-paced action game follows the story of Travis Touchdown as he pursues the status of the #1 assassin. After winning a laser beam katana on an online auction, Travis enters the seedy underworld in the city of Santa Destroy. Take control of Travis and his handy katana with the Wii Remote and hack, slash, and stab your way though this open world game.
Mario Super Sluggers
Mario and friends are goin' for extra innings in Mario Super Sluggers, the second game featuring the happy-go-lucky plumber and America's favorite pastime. This installment lets you choose between 12 team captains (such as Bowser and Diddy Kong), and 25 different teammates (such as a Goomba or a Magikoopa). The game will play much like its predecessor, with the exception of the unique controls of the Wii remote.
World of Goo
Equal parts puzzle game and political commentary, the insanely innovative World of Goo took the WiiWare/PC world by storm with its mixture of quirky physics-based gameplay and mind-boggling puzzles. Taking control of a series of living globs of goo, it's the players goal to construct devices and mechanisms in order to complete each stage. Of course, this sounds much easier than it actually is. Whether you're flinging goo at a tower that's blocking your path or creating a bridge in which to lead your goo to the pipe and finish the stage, the feeling of victory that comes with completing a puzzle in this stunning brainteaser is one of the most rewarding experiences you'll feel all year!
Wii Fit
Playing Wii Fit is an interesting experience. It's sort of goofy and embarrassing-if you consider yourself "hardcore" you'll probably turn your nose up at it-but it can also be ridiculously fun. Of course, the best thing that Wii Fit has going for it is that it's unique. Much like the Wii Remote's motion sensing capabilities, the Balance Board offers you a gaming experience that you can't really find anywhere else. Sure, weight-sensing peripherals aren't anything new but unlike the flimsy mats of yore, the Balance Board feels less like a gimmick and more like a legitimate product. It's slick, responsive and solidly made.
Okami
In the cult hit Okami, the legendary monster Orochi has come back to life and turned the world into a veritable wasteland. Players must assume the role of a wolf, an embodiment of the sun god Amaterasu, which is capable of wielding unimaginable power. In this innovative adventure, paint your way through your surrounding environments to solve puzzles, and envelop yourself in a fantastical world of Japanese mythology!
Skate It!
Just over a year ago, Electronic Arts let Skate loose into the previously Tony Hawk-dominated extreme sports genre. The title's sim-over-arcade controls proved an instant success, earning serious street cred with fans, while giving Mr. Hawk a reason to quiver in his Vans. The Wii version, dubbed Skate It, invites gamepad grinders back to the fictional skater's paradise, San Vanelona, for another dose of slick tricks and skinned knees. The series' staple organic "flick-it" controls, triggered by the analog sticks on the PS3 and 360 versions, are mapped surprisingly faithfully to the Wii-mote. Imagine the wireless Wii controller as a giant analog stick, and you'll be well on your way to urban skater stardom; kickflips, ollies, nollies, and pop shuv-its can all be intuitively pulled with some creative waggling. Additionally, A and B button presses further modify your sick skills with grabs and grinds. Toss in some air-catching tweaks and D-pad-triggered style enhancements, and you're working with a brimming bag of tricks.
Animal Crossing: City Folk
Animal Crossing: City Folk by Nintendo allows Wii owners to participate in an open virtual community, play with friends, and collect various animal items. Nintendo is looking for it to be a place for friends to hang out with a new online mode that will also take advantage of the new Wii Speak microphone peripheral.
Who says PC gaming is dead? 2008 was a great year for PC gamers with a host of amazing titles. Best of all, the PC saw some incredible exclusive titles like Wrath of the Lich King, a rich and feature packed expansion for a little game called World of Warcraft, and Spore. And if you thought 2008 was amazing, just wait for 2009 when we will PC gamers will be treated to the likes of Diablo III, Dawn of War II and Sims 3. Yes, we're serious about adding Sims 3 in there. Why? Because the first two sold like eleventy billion copies, that's why. (Blame Features Editor Dave Rudden for that one if you want to.)
Crysis Warhead
Warhead takes place simultaneously with the original Crysis, recapping the events of what happened on the other side of the game's infamous island. You fill the cybernetic boots of everyone's favorite sociopathic Brit, Sergeant Sykes - AKA Psycho - and must battle your way through both a barrage of highly armed KPA radicals as well as a swarm of exosuit wielding aliens. And you thought your day job was tough.
Spore
As is the case with all of Will Wright's games, Spore is immense in every sense of the word: in terms of scope, ambition and length, the game reaches for and, for the most part, meets its lofty goals. It's an incredibly innovative title that attempts to chart life itself from its infantile beginning to its end. And yet, much like life itself, it's not exactly perfect. It has some issues that keep it from fully tapping into its vast potential but it's still one of the most original and interesting titles to come out in this or any other year.
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King
As if Blizzard hadn't eaten up enough of our free time with World of Warcraft, they have to go and release this awesome expansion pack. Hey Blizzard, we have to eat and sleep too, you know? Why can't you cut us a break? Stop making awesome content packs with new quests, a new continent to explore and new Hero classes to strive for! Our friends and family are starting to get worried because we won't return their phone calls or emails. Ah, who are we kidding? Keep making these expansions, Blizzard. We <3 them.
Left 4 Dead
Taking the survival horror genre to new heights, Left4Dead is an adrenaline fueled kick to the sensory organs. Cast as one of four survivors who are under siege by an undead horde, you must shoot, run and survive. What elevates the game to greatness is the fantastic multiplayer component. You can go online and play with friends in a cooperative mode-four players all acting as a team to survive the zombie onslaught-or play deathmatch where you can cast yourself as one the undead masses to take down survivors controlled by other human players. It's an insane amount of fun and definitely deserves a spot in every PC gamers' library.
Fallout 3
There's no way around it: Fallout 3 has a lot to live up to. Many regard the first two games in the series as RPG classics. Those post-apocalyptic treasures shook off the tired constraints of swords-and-sorcery cliches to create free-roaming worlds of postmodern danger and moral consequences. Luckily for fans and newcomers alike, Fallout 3 isn't just a fitting tribute to that legacy, it's one of the most persistently absorbing role-playing worlds ever created.
The slick PSP continued its assault against the DS' handheld dominance with a hardware upgrade-the ultra fancy PSP-3000-and a nice complement of games to keep you busy on the go. We personally recommend you get your hands on the minimalistic Echochrome, a game that's as soothing for the soul as it is challenging to the mind. Then follow it up with the rest of the games on this list to ensure that your next visit to a waiting room or your next road trip will be anything but boring.
Patapon
Pata-pata-pata-pon! Irresistably catchy, infectiously charming and highly addictive, this clever rhythm/action game is insane amounts of fun. Using different combinations of drum beats, you march your little tribe of Patapons to glory. It might look like you're just mashing buttons to a beat but the reality is that there is a ton of strategy involved. Collect goodies, arm your little soldiers and go out in search of glory with this amazing title.
Echochrome
Echochrome is one of the most simple, yet creative Sony games available on the PSP to date. The game is made up of the impossible architecture of Oscar Reutersvard. You guide your mannequin through 56 twisted levels, collecting four "echoes" that are scattered throughout each stage.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
You can't just make a Final Fantasy game these days. The expectations for the franchise are raised so high that if you're going to make bearing the words 'Final Fantasy' in the title, you had better pull out all the stops. That's especially true if you're going to make a title related to the most famous Final Fantasy of them all, FFVII. Thankfully, Square Enix is to quality RPGs what Michael Jordan was to basketball. So it's no surprise that Crisis Core, which acts as a prequel to the events of FFVII, turned to be worthy of carrying on the franchise's name. There's still a few months left before Final Fantasy XIII comes out but in the meantime, Crisis Core is a compelling RPG experience that will keep you occupied for a good long time.
Star Ocean: First Departure
Space Date 346: The crew of the Terran Federation ship arrives on the planet Roak. With the help of a stalwart band of local heroes, the crew must work together to unravel a mystery and halt a galactic war. Follow the exploits of humankind's journey across the stars. The Star Ocean saga begins with the completely remastered First Departure on the PSP. The game includes revised game engine, an improved battle system, and fully-voiced, all-new animated scenes displayed in 16:9 widescreen.
God of War: Chains of Olympus
A portable entry in what is, without a doubt, one of the best action franchises in all of gaming, Chains of Olympus was a worthy addition to the growing legend of Kratos and his unending war against the Zeus and his cronies. The story took gamers back in time to retell the origins of the Ghost of Sparta and the game made full use of the PSP's hardware, delivering fantastic visuals and a tight control scheme that compensated well for the system's lack of dual analog sticks. It was a powerful reminder that the GoW formula is rock solid no matter which platform you apply it and it makes the wait for the third God of War on the PS3 that much easier to bear.
The DS continues to enjoy its time atop the portable mountain. With a library that numbers in the bajillions-our math might be a little off but we're pretty sure it's close-the DS continues to delight gamers of all ages. A day doesn't go by when we don't spot at least one person on the bus or subway plugging away on a DS Lite. Next year, we'll see the US introduction of the new DSi, but regardless of which model you have, there's no denying that for portable gaming, the DS remains a fantastic choice. The following games may be smaller in scope and size than their big console cousins but they pack just as much fun and gameplay.
Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
While it's not nearly as polished as previous entries in the handheld Castlevania series, Order of Ecclesia is a fantastic title that's deep and satisfying. While there are a couple of design issues-some of the puzzles are poorly laid out and there is a lot of backtracking involved-it's still a worthy addition to the long running franchise. It's a definite must for DS owners who are looking for a challenge. And considering Konami's recent entry into the home consoles was a lackluster fighting game-Castlevania Judgment for the Wii-Order of Ecclsia is the closest we'll come to a true sequel for the classic 2D game, Symphony of the Night.
Chrono Trigger
Square-Enix is known primarily for two things: putting out amazing RPGs, and then milking those RPGs through re-releases until even the most crazed fanboys are sick of them. However, this is not the case with Chrono Trigger, one of the most beloved RPGs of all time, which Square left practically untouched since its last iteration on the PS1, but still maintains all of the magic that made it a classic on the SNES. This time-traveling epic springs to life on the DS, and Square left it up to the gamers to decide if they wanted to utilize any of the DS' touch screen functionality, which works surprisingly well, or play it just as it was when it was released in cartridge form. The anime cutscenes which were added to the PS1 release are intact here, and the memorable soundtrack couldn't sound better. For old fans and new ones, this is an RPG for the ages, and it would be foolish to pass this remake up.
Guitar Hero: On Tour Decades
The rocktastic goodness of Guitar Hero hits the road with this portable title. The controller is innovative, if a little unwieldy, and it does a great job of replicating the Guitar Hero experience. It's perfect for bite-sized sessions of rocking out. Doctor's visits, road trips, waiting rooms, or simple on-the-go rocking!
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood is an exciting new action RPG for the Nintendo DS developed by RPG superstar BioWare, the minds behind Knights of The Old Republic and Baldur's Gate. Chronicles gave players the choice between 11 different characters, and with a classic role-playing formula takes full advantage of common RPG elements, such as exploration, combat, and special attacks that are unique for each character.
Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2
Trauma Center: Under the Knife 2 is a surgical simulation game developed for the Nintendo DS and the fourth in the Trauma Center series. The game is a direct sequel to Trauma Center: Under the Knife, also for the Nintendo DS. With the GUILT virus eliminated, it's back to business as usual for Doctor Derek Stiles and his loyal Nurse Angie -- but when a new strain of a killer virus is unleashed against the populous, will Derek's healing touch be enough to stop it?
Some pundits have already forecasted the death of physical media, claiming digital distribution is the wave of the future. While we highly doubt that digitial distribution will take over Blu-rays and DVDs as the sole format for gaming in the near future, it has proven itself to be a legitimate business model. Whether it's for extra content like Rock Band tracks, indie darlings like Braid and Super Star Dust HD, or for full-fledged games like Left4Dead, DLC is a rapidly growing segment of the gaming market. Do not overlook services like the Xbox Live Marketplace and Steam because you will miss out on some incredible gaming experiences, as evidenced by our list below.
Bionic Commando: Re-Armed
Capcom deserves a special place in the hearts of all retro gamers, especially old fogeys like me. They know how to take a classic franchise and inject it with new life, unlike, say, Sega who absolutely butchered Golden Axe with Beast Rider. Thankfully, Capcom knows that the secret is to build upon the foundation laid by those classic titles rather than rely solely on brand recognition and fan loyalty. Bionic Commando was one of my favorite NES games of all time-I've played through it multiple times at various points in my life-and I was absolutely thrilled with this remake. It stays true to the original while adding some neat-o features that makes the game even more fun than I remember. The visual upgrades don't hurt either. All in all, it's a fantastic game and definitely deserves a place on your Xbox 360 or PS3 hard drives.
Braid
Every once in a while a game will come along that turns the concept of how a game should, or could be designed on its head. Portal did it, as did LittleBigPlanet, but these titles had dozens of designers and artists working to ensure the level of ingenuity in their games was upheld. Braid, on the other hand, had one lone designer who was supported by a small handful of artists and composers. Braid is, for lack of a better term, a complex work of art disguised as a simple 2-D platformer that tackles questions as heady as the meaning of life, and the lengths to which one will go in the name of love. The catch is the player is able to reverse time, which plays a vital role in the game's puzzles. The world in Braid looks like a water color painting that ebbs and flows as you move through each of its 6 worlds, each with its own unique take on how the player can manipulate time. Priced at a paltry $15, Braid is a must-own title for this holiday season.
Mega Man 9
Brutally difficult and insanely challenging, Mega Man 9 is a must-have for gamers looking to test their mettle. Navigating the trap-filled levels and tackling the devious bosses is not for the faint of heart but the best part of Mega Man 9 is the love and care that Capcom put into its development. It plays like an old school NES Mega Man title complete with graphical and audio glitches; it's a great throwback to the glory days of gaming and proves that Capcom cares about its loyal fanbase. Besides which, it only costs like ten bucks, which is a relative bargain in these tough economic times.
Super Street Fighter II HD Remix
Another Capcom game, another fantastic update. When it first debuted, Street Fighter II revolutionized the fighting game genre and HD Remix is now reigniting our love affair with Hadokens and Sonic Booms. The graphics got a bump up in quality and the talented folks at Udon Studios gave the game a fantastice new visual style. The result is the same great fighting experience we all know and love but with a brand new feel. The online multiplayer mode only makes it that much sweeter. It's definitely worth downloading and will help you get in shape for 2009's Street Fighter IV.
Rock Band / Guitar Hero DLC
We don't care which game you own: you have to check out the DLC content that's available. Whether it's Rock Band 2 or Guitar Hero: World Tour, there are some amazing bonus content out there that you should seriously consider downloading. Rock Band 2 has full albums from various artists-Foo Fighters Colour and the Shape FTW!-as well as single tracks; Guitar Hero has an awesome lineup of downloadable tracks as well and there's also a nice collection of user-created tracks that you can check out. The songs that come bundled on the discs themselves are rocking but you can keep the virtual concert going forever with the sweet DLC offerings that are available.
