What to get the gamer in your life

Rule One for gaming buyers is to find a way of running your proposed purchase past the object of your present buying before you make the purchase – and then try to make sure you buy the right version on the right system. Nothing worse than handing a copy of Tiger Woods 2008 (which is available for around a euro) when you were meant to get the 2010 version.

So, without further ado, here’s a guide to help you through the minefield.

Top of the kids’ games list is the cutesy technological marvel that is the EyePet. Perfect for families seeking an alternative to the rather more demanding real deal, this has lots of variety and a charismatic main character that will put a smile on anyone’s face. Bear in mind you will have to hand over a relatively significant part of the sitting room floor but on the positive side of the equation, the playing space is at the heart of family life. Which can be nice.

The recently released Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has won rave reviews and for anyone who is into classic first person shooters (FPS), it is probably top of the list. This is one to make sure your gamer doesn’t have already as its been flying out of the shops.

Saboteur offers a slightly different take on the genre, putting the gamer into a complex WWII narrative that mixes an arty look, Grand Theft Auto style driving fun with espionage based FPS action.Uncharted 2 is a more adventure driven romp and won’t disappoint either and we’ll hope to have a closer look at these two in the near future.

Of the sports games, I’m sticking with my original vote of FIFA 10 over Pro Evo although this is a decidedly tricky decision – in the end, both are top class and it will come down to personal preference. Other EA offerings such as the aforementioned Tiger Woods or Madden 2010 will also please anyone who is into a particular sport, though none of the recent basketball titles have done it for me.

The Top Spin Tennis series offers something different to the EA style and are also well worth a look. However, with these ones in particular it is well worth checking as the update from one season to the next is often not worth the fairly vast sum required to obtain it new.

Having picked it up lately for the first time in about 15 years, I can also recommend the latest version of Sensible Soccer to anyone – terrific, simple, high paced fun. A welcome break from more realistic titles.

Fans of the SingStar titles will appreciate anything from Take That, to Motown, to the excellent fun of SingStar Queen. The latter may edge the contest for sheer fun, though Take That is also a crowd pleaser. Rockband is also fantastic, and can be picked up at excellent prices if you shop around – Smyth’s at the top of Henry Street certainly have it at a big discount. Beatles Rockband in particular is a tremendous game.

There are some to avoid: Ghostbusters (clunky, slow and finicky) didn’t really do it for me, while I found Infamous to be only alright. Pain also didn’t quite set the pulse racing. There’s lots more great stuff out there and if people can throw their recommendations into the comments….it’d be great.

Have a great Christmas!

Brendan Cole