Gamertell

Come this holiday season Xbox 360 fans have a lot to be thankful for. Not only has Microsoft proven that its tall-slick sexy beast has more under its hood then what most critics had first given the now two year old system credit for, the great line-up of games just continue to come pouring out.

With so many groundbreaking titles released over the past few months, it has gotten easier and easier to justify putting down that $400 and grabbing your self a 360 this Christmas season. But once the consumer has purchased their 360 the only question that remains is, what games should you buy first. We at GamerTell are here to help you narrow down and make your seasonal shopping just that much easier.

Games no hardcore gamer should go without:

Mass Effect (RPG-$60), developed by one of the premiere RPG makers in the world, Bioware, who is best known for Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic, brings their new epic space adventure to the 360. If you are looking for a game that goes beyond just being a game, look no further then Mass Effect. This beautiful RPG gives the player the chance to develop their custom characters the way they want while exploring a truly awesome and expansive universe.

Halo 3 (FPS, $60), a franchise that has defined the modern first person shooter, finishes the fight this season. With ground breaking graphics, a multiplayer to die for and a story that has captivated a generation, Halo 3 is certainly going to be on every gamers wish list this Christmas.

Call of Duty 4 (FPS, $60) brings the classic World War II action shooter to the modern era. While short, if a gamer is looking for one of the most intense and exciting experiences they can have without actually having to join the Army then Call of Duty 4 is your best bet. With one of the deepest and most original online elements in recent gaming history, Call of Duty 4 will no doubt be one of those games that you will be playing long after the initial single player campaign has been finished.

Assassin’s Creed (Action/Adventure, $60) is one of those games that transcend just being another action title. If you have a love of stealth and actions games or just a fanatic for history, then Assassin’s Creed is the game for you. Assassin’s Creed will be one of those titles that will be talked about for many years to come and no doubt the beginning of a great franchise.

The Orange Box (FPS/Puzzle/Online Multiplayer, $60), presented by Valve, is a gamers dream. Not only does this collect come with Half Life 2 and Half Life 2 episode one, three all new original games are also included with the Orange Box, such as, Half Life 2 episode two, Portal and the long anticipated Team Fortress 2. Five games for the price of one, this $60 package is a must buy for any cash strapped gamer.

Other AAA Xbox 360 titles that gamers wouldn’t won’t to pass over this holiday season include:

• Bioshock (FPS, $60)
• Ace Combat 6 (Flight Sim, $60)
• The Simpson’s Game (Action/Adventure, $60)
• Timeshift (FPS, $60)
• Metal of Honor: Airborne (FPS, $60)
• Lost Planet (Action/Adventure, $60)
• Ghost Recon Advance Warfare 2 (Tactical Shooter, $40)
• Crackdown (Action/Crime, $40)
• Kane & Lynch (Action/Crime, $60)
• Rock Band (Harmonix, $60)
• WWE Smackdown Vs. Raw 2008 (Fighting/Sports/Wrestling, $60)
• BlackSite: Area 51 (FPS, $60)
• Need for Speed: Prostreet (Racing, $60)
• Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Action/Adventure, $50)
• Viva Pinata: Party Animals (Action/Adventure, $50)
• Naruto: Rise of a Ninja (Action/Adventure, $60)
• Virtua Fighter 5 (Fighter, $60)
• Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock (Music & Party, $60)
• Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground (Sports/Skateboarding, $60)
• SKATE (Sports/Skateboarding, $60)

With this many stocking stuffers, there isn’t a whole lot for gamers to complain about to Santa.

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2007 will no doubt go down in gaming history as one of the best years in the industry’s history, both for quality and gross revenue. Not since the days of the original Playstation and the N64 has the public been bombarded by such a large choice of gaming goodies. Now with Christmas just around the corner and consumers want to know which games are worth the cash and time.

Kotaku recently posted its own wish list of staff picks, each using a theoretical $300 spending limit. Whether you are looking for a game for yours self or a friend, there is certainly plenty of old and new titles to choose from.

Here are some of the highlights from the various lists:

• Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune
• Super Mario Galaxy
• Mass Effect
• The Orange Box
• Call of Duty 4
• Ratchet & Clank: Future Tools of Destruction
• Assassin’s Creed
• Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock
• Unreal Tournament 3

With so many choices of gaming goodies, no die-hard gamer should have much to complain this season. Lets just hope all of you have been good boys and girls this year.

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