Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Games Edition
As you’ve probably heard by now, Sony’s PlayStation 4 launches today in North America, officially kicking off the newest console war. Sure, 2012 saw Nintendo Wii U launch, but that console is mostly a fancier Wii with HD visuals. And considering that Microsoft’s Xbox One comes out just one week from today, it might not be a bad idea to think about what titles would make the best gifts for the video gamers in your life.
And by that, I mean me. These are the games I want you all to buy me.
For PlayStation 4 Owners: Killzone: Shadow Fall
The Killzone franchise from Sony-owned Guerilla Games has been PlayStation exclusive since way back in the PlayStation 2 days. This newest title won’t change your life, but it will look and play damn good on your new PS4 console. It’s probably the best-looking exclusive launch game for the system, and it’s likely to have pretty robust multiplayer options once everyone finally gets their PS4s online. So unless you’re shopping for a kid—and if you are, just get Knack—Killzone: Shadow Fall is probably the PS4-owner’s best choice.
For Xbox One Owners: Forza Motorsport 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r46D1lRpO1k
One of the best reasons to get an Xbox One—Microsoft-exclusive Titanfall from Respawn Entertainment and Electronic Arts—doesn’t launch until March. So instead of leaving an empty space under the tree, grab this incredible-looking racing game instead. It’ll do plenty to make your jaw hang open with its next-gen visuals, and, like Killzone, will probably have a solid core of players to race against in online multiplayer.
For Wii U Owners: Super Mario 3D World
The Wii U may be a bust in terms of delivering on anything remotely “next-gen,” but there’s no question that it’s the place to go for amazing Nintendo-made games. And they don’t get much better than the games in the Super Mario Bros. series, with Super Mario 3D World being the latest and greatest installment in that unimpeachable franchise. The game will feature four-player cooperative multiplayer in a 3D world. The game looks incredible from visual and gameplay standpoints, and might also be the single best argument for Wii U ownership to exist. The only drawback? No online multiplayer. Dammit, Nintendo.
For 3DS Owners: Legend of Zelda: Link Between Worlds
One of the gaming world’s most beloved classics is Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. This 3DS game is a spiritual sequel that you can only get on the handheld. Beyond going back to the series’ roots with its top-down dungeon crawls and puzzle-solves, it’s got a really unique gameplay mechanic that allows protagonist Link flatten himself against walls to traverse levels in a new, 2D way. If you have a 3DS, you have to have this game.
For the PlayStation Vita Owner: Tearaway
The Vita still hasn’t quite come into its own as far as a major platform, but there are a few gems. This year’s most interesting looking Vita exclusive is Tearaway from LittleBigPlanet developer Media Molecule. The game was built from the ground-up specifically for the Vita and its front touchscreen and rear touchpad, and it looks like a really unique and fun game.
For the PC Gamer: SpeedRunners
This is a tough one, because there are tons of great PC games out there that you can’t get on consoles. So instead of telling you about the biggest or highest-profile game, I’d rather suggest the last PC game I’ve played that really got me. SpeedRunners from tinyBuild is in early access paid-beta right now, but it’s amazing. Imagine Mario Kart, but as a 2D platformer. With four player competitive multiplayer either online or local, this is one of the most fun games I’ve played with other people. Get it for all your friends.