Holiday gift guide: Video games
— -- Thanks to a stellar year stuffed with top-notch releases, there's a video game for everyone on your holiday gift list. USA TODAY'S Game Hunters, Brett Molina and Mike Snider, hunt up some gift-giving guidance, by age group:
KIDS
Sesame Street: Once Upon a Monster ($49.99, for Xbox 360; rated E for all ages)
Elmo, Grover, Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch and other Street residents populate this interactive storybook, which, thanks to Xbox's Kinect motion-sensing controller, is playable by children as young as 4. Kids get to help solve problems faced by new monsters, and a parent or friend can play along in cooperative mode in this unique experience, designed by Double Fine Productions (Brutal Legend, Costume Quest).
Super Mario 3D Land ($39.99, for Nintendo 3DS; all ages)
The lovable plumber is back in his first full 3-D adventure. Once again, Mario must rescue a captive Princess Peach, this time navigating a variety of stages that leverage the 3-D visuals of Nintendo's handheld.
Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure ($59.99-$69.99, for PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, Mac and Windows PCs; rated E-10+ for ages 10-up)
This innovative new hybrid toy-video game from Activision comes with three character figurines that, when placed on an included "Portal of Power," become playable in the game. You swap out characters during the game as each has different powers. The toys can be used across various game platforms and on the Web (universe.skylanders.com). New character figurines are sold separately for $7.99.
Other recommended children's titles:
•Kirby's Return to Dreamland, $49.99, for Wii; ages 10-up
•Twister Mania, $49.99, for Xbox 360; all ages
•Madden NFL 12, $49.99-$59.99, for PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii; all ages
TWEENS
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword ($49.99, for Wii; ages 10-up)
The latest adventure for iconic hero Link serves as a prequel to the classic Ocarina of Time, as he rescues Zelda from a mysterious evil force. Controls enhanced by the Wii's MotionPlus technology turn the remote and nunchuk attachment into a precise, powerful sword-and-shield combo.
Forza Motorsport 4 ($59.99, for Xbox 360; all ages)
The ideal game for inner-speed freaks, this racing simulation features hundreds of cars from Honda Civics to exotic Bugattis screaming through tracks in the Alps and along the Italian coast. As a bonus, players can drop the standard controller and use Kinect motion controls.
NBA 2K12 ($19.99-$59.99, for PS3, PS2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, Wii and PC; all ages)
Just because the NBA was embroiled in a labor dispute doesn't mean game players need to miss out on pro hoops action. Besides managing current squads, players can revisit league legends in NBA's Greatest mode — stepping into the shoes of stars such as Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan.
Other recommended tween titles:
•Just Dance 3, $39.99, for PS3, Wii, Xbox 360; ages 10-up
•FIFA Soccer 12, $39.99-$59.99, for PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, 3DS and PC; all ages
•LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7, $29.99-$49.99, for PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, PCs, Wii, DS and 3DS; ages 10-up
TEENS
Batman: Arkham City ($49.99-$59.99, for PS3, Xbox 360 and PCs; rated T for ages 13-up)
The Dark Knight returns to thwart the Joker's takeover of a city-sized prison. Using stealth and a wide selection of gadgets, players battle villains such as Penguin and Two-Face.
