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Xbox 360 Holiday Buyer's Guide
Xbox 360 Holiday Buyer's Guide - Special Feature
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It's that special time of year again where we get to take time off of work (or school), fight through holiday traffic waving our one-finger salute and of course giving (and receiving) gifts. Being a gamer this is the toughest time of the year simply because there is just too much to buy and so little money. Let's face it we aren't all loaded with cash so our gaming purchases have to be made with care. This year the fine folks at ZTGD are bringing you a collection of titles for each console that we feel are worth buying (for you or your friends) along with the coolest accessories and even some stocking stuffers for those impulse buys. If you have a gamer on your list or simply want to know what to ask for this holiday season we are here to help.
For the gamer who has too much free time.
Fallout 3 Bethesda
ESRB Rating Mature
MSRP - $59.99
Post-Apocalyptic D.C. is the perfect place for anyone with an ample amount of time on their hands to get lost. With a ridiculous amount of quests, complete freedom to play the game how you see fit and an amazing amount of immersion Fallout 3 is a game that will consume months of your life without blinking an eye. Also don't be surprised to find yourself playing segments over and over with different actions to see the outcome or simply playing the entire thing from start to finish more than once. This is one experience that truly warrants its sixty dollar price tag.
ZTGD Score 9.5 (Excellent)
For the gamer with anger management issues.
Gears of War 2 Epic Games
ESRB Rating Mature
MSRP - $59.99
Running a chainsaw through someone is about as visceral as it gets and in Gears of War 2 this is a common occurrence. The sequel to one of the most popular Xbox Live titles returns and lives up to the creator's tagline of being bigger, better and more badass. The addition of the Horde co-op mode and tweaks to the online means you can get lost in the amount of content on the disc. Throw in a killer campaign that can be played through with a buddy and you have one of the best packages of the year. If you are a fan of online shooters or simply shooters in general, it really doesn't get much better than this.
ZTGD Score 10 (Classic)
For the gamer who loves to pick a good fight.
Soulcalibur IV Namco Bandai
ESRB Rating Teen
MSRP - $59.99
Fighting games have made a triumphant return in 2008 and of them all Soulcalibur IV was probably one of the most addictive and accessible ones released. With a massive create-a-character mode, solid online play and a host of new and returning favorites there was more than enough content here to keep gamers coming back for months. The introductions of Star Wars characters only sweetened the deal so if you are searching for the perfect fighting game for anyone to enjoy Soulcalibur IV is easily the best choice.
ZTGD Score 9.6 (excellent)
For the gamer with unlimited imagination.
Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts Rare
ESRB Rating Everyone 10+
MSRP - $39.99
Some people will argue that Rare has lost their touch, but with their last two releases they seem to be getting back to what made them so popular in the first place. Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts is a combination platformer meets LEGOs with slick vehicle creation and the humor the company has become known for. For forty bucks there is an amazing amount of content to be found here and the visuals are absolutely stellar. If you are a fan of Rare, the Banjo series or simply unique and entertaining games in general you owe it to yourself to check out this updated chapter of a beloved franchise.
ZTGD Score 8.0 (Great)
For the gamer with a short attention span.
Left 4 Dead Valve
ESRB Rating Mature
MSRP - $59.99
With the market being flooded with first-person shooters this holiday season it really takes something special to stand out. Valve's latest offering for 360 owners is one part co-op experience, one part twitch-based shooter and all parts zombie genocidal fun. Left 4 Dead is the epitome of getting that thirty seconds of fun tuned to perfection and offering it up over and over. The game is best played with a group of friends and going through the same levels over and over is made more dynamic thanks to the AI director. This is easily one of the best shooters you can pick up this holiday season.
ZTGD Score 9.6 (Excellent)
For the gamer most likely to become a rock star.
Rock Band 2 Harmonix
ESRB Rating Teen
MSRP - $59.99 ($189.99 with instruments)
The plastic instrument craze has been going on for quite some time now, but when Rock Band hit the scene it drew in more than just hardcores to the fray. Rock Band 2 capitalizes on what made the original so good with enough new enhancements to deserve the sequel moniker in its name. With over 500 available songs (including the AC/DC pack listed in our stocking stuffers) this game could easily keep you coming back for years, and it's only going to get better.
ZTGD Score 9.4 (Excellent)
For the gamer most interested in polygamy.
Fable II Lionhead Studios
ESRB Rating Mature
MSRP - $59.99
When you are presented with so many choices it is hard to decide what to do. Thankfully in Fable II you have the option to try them all out. The sequel to one of the most anticipated games of all time finally delivers what the original promised with satisfying combat, limitless ways to experience the game and a sense of humor that lends itself well to the universe. Throw in online co-op and you have a game that is easily one of the best RPG experiences currently available on the new console.
ZTGD Score 9.8 (Excellent)
For the gamer who loves the smell of fear.
Dead Space EA Games
ESRB Rating Mature
MSRP - $59.99
Very few games can boast about their ability to make you admit to using a night light. Dead Space is a creepy mix of Even Horizon and The Thing that invokes terror into its players by delivering intense sequences of action combined with some of the best sound design I have ever heard in a game. Some of the things you experience in this game will haunt you well into the New Year which makes this one a perfect choice for curling up with on a cold snowy night to scare yourself silly.
ZTGD Score 9.6 (Excellent)
For the gamer who still loves playing World War II Games.
Call of Duty: World at War Treyarch
ESRB Rating Mature
MSRP - $59.99
It's no secret that WWII games have become a dumping ground for gaming. It seems that everyone is just as sick of them as they were snowboarding games during the PSOne era. However, when a company makes a game as good as CoD: WaW it is hard to not recommend it for anyone who loves shooters in general. Building off of the best parts of Modern Warfare, World at War takes the genre to a whole new level with incredibly vast environments, unparalleled sound and multi-player that could surpass its predecessor with ease. If you love shooters World at War is one of the best released this year and, in my opinion, the best in the Call of Duty series.
ZTGD Score 9.3 (Excellent)
For the gamer who loves Pokemon, but refuses to buy a Wii.
Viva Piρata: Trouble in Paradise Rare
ESRB Rating Everyone
MSRP - $39.99
The first Viva Piρata was a miraculous achievement in the fact that it attracted younger audiences, but enthralled hardcores into its simplistic treachery. With the sequel the team streamlined everything and made it more accessible to younger players by adding the co-op options and a much smoother interface. The addiction is uncanny and some people will miss out simply because they are too manly to play with colorful candy transporters. If you have a chance I highly recommend checking out this quirky yet highly addictive title.
ZTGD Score 8.0 (Great)
Accessories
Xbox Live 12 Month Subscription Card
MSRP - $49.99
Anyone who owns an Xbox 360 will tell you that being online is a must. Give the gift that keeps on giving all year round with twelve months of the best online service available.
Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kit
MSRP - $29.99
Going through rechargeable batteries can be a pain, but if pick up this handy little charger you can easily keep two spare batteries available at all times.
Xbox Live Messenger Kit
MSRP - $29.99
Typing messages with a controller flat out sucks. This little device attaches to the bottom of your controller giving you a full QWERTY keyboard at your fingertips; perfect for keying in those Microsoft Point Card numbers.
Xbox 360 Red Controller w/ Play and Charge Kit
MSRP - $64.99
There is nothing worse than getting a brand new console and realizing you don't have a second pad to use when friends drop by. Kill two birds with one stone with this slick new controller that comes with a rechargeable battery pack, play and charge kit and an improved d-pad for those 2D fighters on XBLA.
Stocking Stuffers
Microsoft Points Cards
MSRP $19.99-$49.99
There is a lot of stuff on Marketplace to download and the easiest (and most convenient) way to purchase it is with these handy cards. Simply type in the code to add points to your account and trust me, every gamer could always use more points.
Xbox 360 Rechargeable Battery Pack
MSRP - $11.99
Gamers can always use a spare, especially when it comes to batteries. Picking one of these up is sure to bring a smile to their face, especially if you combine it with the Quick Charge Kit for maximum endurance in those long gaming sessions.
AC/DC Rock Band Track Pack
MSRP - $39.99 (Available only at Wal-Mart)
If Rock Band is their thing this eighteen song pack will add hours of entertainment to an already must-own game. You can play directly from the disc (and earn some extra Achievements) or use the included code to upload them to your existing Rock Band library.
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