Christmas Buyers Guide - Xbox 360

360 Feature | All you need for a merry Xbox Xmas.

It's hard to dispute that Microsoft's now-gen machine occupies an enviable position as we head towards Christmas 2006. As well as the numerical advantage the 360 still enjoys over the competition (thanks to its earlier release, though let's not mention Japan), it also leads the pack by a long, long way in terms of online play. And of course, like the finest of wines, its library of games has matured into something that can't be matched on either the Wii or PlayStation 3 right now, boasting a good handful of must-have titles.

So, with such a choice in front of you, we selected the best dozen games that should be occupying your 360's disc tray come Xmas. Scroll down for the goodness.

Christmas Buyers Guides
PARENTS | PLAYSTATION 2 | NINTENDO DS | PLAYSTATION PORTABLE

Dead Rising

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom

Our review said: "There’s not a whole lot to complain about in Dead Rising; the game’s scope has a real next generation feel to it, it looks really good in motion, it doesn’t feature the typical bad dub from Capcom and the game is a total blast to play.

The game’s save system can be a little unforgiving (only one slot is available), but if you get caught in a situation you can’t get out of, the game will allow you to restart with all of Frank’s new abilities intact. If you’re a fan of zombie movies or just in the mood to slay thousands of ghouls with unconventional weaponry, then Dead Rising is well and truly worth a look." [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]

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Dead or Alive 4

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1-4
Developer: Team Ninja
Publisher: Tecmo

Our review said: "Dead or Alive 4 is the best in the series so far. It’s more balanced than ever (in fact, if you’ve got a broadband connection, the latest patch makes a few notable alterations to balance the game further), the added pace this version has is welcome, and the new characters are each excellent yet delightfully different additions to the DoA roster.

It shines strongly in multiplayer, offering fast and frantic battles for both beginners and veterans alike, both online and offline. Those looking for some multiplayer fighting fun could do a lot worse than Dead or Alive 4, though if all you’ll be playing is single player it’s very hard to recommend this at full price." [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]

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F.E.A.R.

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1-16
Developer: Monolith
Publisher: Vivendi Universal

Our review said: "Any gamer claiming to enjoy first-person shooters should definitely give F.E.A.R. a try. Some may be put off by the lack of a decent story and repetitive combat, but the overall quality warrants at least one playthrough.

What’s interesting about F.E.A.R. (and we don’t get to say this often about genre interests) is that those previously unattracted to FPS games might do well to give this one a bash. Its unique combat may attract those previously bored with the tired old run-and-gun franchises like Medal of Honour and Halo.

F.E.A.R. gives something unique to the genre that may be expected by veterans, yet previously unimagined by newcomers – a rather refreshing mix of appeal for the differing gamer segments. It certainly is an interesting game to say the least, and the probable sequel (beyond the upcoming expansion F.E.A.R: Extraction Point) will definitely be a title to watch." [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]

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Test Drive Unlimited

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1-6
Developer: Atari
Publisher: Atari

Our review said: "Test Drive Unlimited breathes quality in almost every area and is arguably one of the biggest surprises of the year.

You could spend over a hundred hours on this, and still not be done. There's a huge amount of single player missions and objectives to complete and things to buy, and that's before you even consider what Xbox Live offers here. If you don’t have a Xbox Live Gold subscription, you can knock a bit off the final score as its online integration is what really helps make this game special. Packed full of content and customisation, there’s plenty here for your money. One of the finest racing games in a long while, both in single player and online. Highly recommended." [FULL REVIEW: 8.5]

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Splinter Cell Double Agent

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1
Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft

Our review said: "Although not without its faults, Splinter Cell: Double Agent is a fantastic game. Overall, it's not quite the complete package that Chaos Theory was, but it deserves credit for trying something a bit different this time around, even if the changes weren’t entirely successful ones.

Few games recreate the sense of tension the way that the Splinter Cell games do, and this latest version does it incredibly well. All too often you’ll find you have forgotten to breathe for the past 20 seconds as you were creeping along a wall past two guards or cracking into a safe just yards away from an unsuspecting enemy. Games that can do that are always the ones worth playing most. Make sure you don't miss out." [FULL REVIEW: 8.5]

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NBA 2K7

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1
Developer: Visual Concepts
Publisher: 2K Sports

Our review said: "NBA 2K7 is a big game – there isn’t really another adjective to describe it. Larger than life presentation and chock full of content, it screams to be noticed. It would be difficult to find anything that rivals the epic scope, and it genuinely has something for everyone. Not all areas are as accessible as others, and this can limit the appeal to casual gamers as well as those curious to see if basketball may be their thing.

Still, it takes a long time to truly appreciate what NBA 2K7 has to offer, and it's the best Xbox 360 basketball game to date. For basketball fans this is a sure thing, and anyone searching for the game that will make or break their basketball curiosity should look no further." [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]

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The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1
Developer: Bethesda Softworks
Publisher: 2K Games

Our review said: "On the whole Oblivion is excellent. Really excellent, actually, and arguably the strongest contender for game of the year yet. It’s possibly the most accessible RPG ever made, with a limitless scope for character creation and the fantastic ‘do what you want, when you want’ gameplay.

It’s also really freakin’ huge, with a massive world to explore, a great central plotline and an endless number of side quests to conquer – it’s completely pointless to try and put an hourly figure on it.

It’s here, it’s brilliant, and it will take over your life." [FULL REVIEW: 9.0]

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Gears of War

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1-8
Developer: Epic Games
Publisher: Microsoft

Our review said: "What Epic has created here is a gorgeous, Hollywood blockbuster of a game, a title packed with soaring production values and a style of combat that manages to be highly engaging, despite its ultimately repetitive nature.

True, it's some way from being original, and it features a cast and a setting that's almost as old as the science-fiction genre itself. But to whimper about such things as innovation would be rather missing the point; that for your hundred dollars or fifty quid, you're buying in to (at least) ten to twelve solid hours of supremely entertaining gaming. This is a formidable title - miss it at your peril. " [FULL REVIEW: 9.0]

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Tony Hawk's Project 8

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1
Developer: Neversoft
Publisher: Activision O2

Our review said: "Tony Hawk's Project 8 is a solid game and a vast improvement upon the previous Tony Hawk games. The 'nail the trick' option is a fantastic addition to the game, and it really feels like you are actually creating and mastering your own trick. The story mode is a lot more focused and more enjoyable because you're actually completing challenges which relate to skating.

The new engine that Neversoft has developed is a lot more realistic, but the frame rate issues are disappointing. This is only really a minor complaint though, as Tony Hawk's Project 8 is easily the best Tony Hawk title since Pro Skater 4. Highly recommended." [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]

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Viva Piñata

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1
Developer: Rare
Publisher: Microsoft

Our review said: "It’s possible to go on and on about what Viva Piñata has to offer, but part of the fun is about discovery and experimentation within the game. With this being said, it’s strongly recommended to immerse yourself into the unknown and take everything as it comes. This is a stunning effort from the team at Rare, who have produced their greatest title since the golden-days (get it? HA) of Nintendo 64 gaming.

Viva Piñata has an unstoppable, infectiously happy theme that’s instantly enjoyable for kids, but that any age group will have an equally large amount of fun with. It isn’t without its flaws, including putting too much emphasis on romancing, as well as a sometimes frustrating, cluttered Piñata management system – but it really is up to the player to determine at what level to succeed and interact with the environments. Anyone dismissing this as a silly children’s game will be missing out on an absorbing, memorable experience that easily ranks among the best for the Xbox 360. The title itself says it all – Viva Piñata!" [FULL REVIEW: 8.5]

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Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1-2
Developer: Rockstar San Diego
Publisher: Rockstar Games

Our review said: "Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis is a game that justifies the score of 8. While the game is actually quite light on options, it's extremely easy to pick up and yet the control system makes it quite a deep experience. If you are only in it for the single player, then the game isn't quite so appealing, but there are a few unlockables to extend the single player campaign.

Rockstar has developed one of the most accessible games on the Xbox 360, and the lower recommended retail price just makes the deal even sweeter." [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]

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Saints Row

Release Date: Out Now
Players: 1-4
Developer: Volition Inc.
Publisher: THQ

Our review said: "In all aspects of life, it is tough to come up with a good original idea, but the entertainment industries have it even tougher, having to come up with original ideas that are also marketable. Audiences tend to look the other way when a studio or developer takes a few elements from another highly successful production to incorporate into their own.

Well, Saints Row doesn’t pretend to be original, and it isn’t without problems, but it does provide enough high quality gaming for players to overlook the game’s few shortcomings. It introduces a lot of cool little features, while providing enough entertaining gameplay to keep players coming back for months to come. It's a damn fine game." [FULL REVIEW: 8.0]

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27 Comments

Jim Dash

5 years ago

No R6: Vegas? No GRAW?

Spot on guide though. Basically what I would currently recommend if you had money to spend on a 360 plus games.

ugh the boot

5 years ago

4 of those games I don't have.

Splinter Cell: DA - After the 1st Splinter Cell I was over it and despite having Pandora Tomorrow and Chaos Theory i've barely played them so I though DA might be a waste of money. I should really pick it up to complete the collection.....maybe when the price comes down.

NBA 2K7 - Not into sports games

Tony Hawk Project 8 - See NBA 2K7

Table Tennis - See Tony Hawk

Personally i'd put Prey in there instead of Table Tennis or even F.E.A.R

Jim Dash

5 years ago

Project 8 feels like a return to the Old School Tony Hawk's games in a lot of ways, ugh. While it is free roaming and has alot of improvements, it's the general feel that really does it for you.

At least give it a hire.

LeonJ

5 years ago

SC:DA on 360 is worthwhile, I basically got it for the multiplayer, but ended up ripping through the single player because it was so good. My feelings towards the series were similar to your Ugh, but DA's single is really well done.

Ellegarden

5 years ago

I'd go for dead or alive 4, only because I had the most fun on my friend's xbox.

slapshakle

5 years ago

Good list. I have 7/12 of those. Im kind of surprised Call of Duty 3 didn't make the list though.

Also Tony Hawks is 1 - 8 player, I'd assume NBA2k7 would be aswell.

Chris

5 years ago

These lists are made to cater for a variety of genres, they're not just the very best dozen or so 360 games. With GoW and FEAR already on it R6Vegas and CoD3 didn't make the cut.

Infested Jibbs

5 years ago

Vegas>>>Cod3>>>>Fear

Nit picking though.

GroovySamurai

5 years ago

Yeah I would have put Cod3 way over Fear and actually maybe even over Vegas from what ive played but nice list.

slapshakle

5 years ago

Chris wrote

These lists are made to cater for a variety of genres, they're not just the very best dozen or so 360 games. With GoW and FEAR already on it R6Vegas and CoD3 didn't make the cut.

Ahh I see, Fair call then. Yeah, I seem to forget how many FPS's are on 360. Bring on some platforming love ! <3

wobbler

5 years ago

slapshakle wrote

I seem to forget how many FPS's are on 360. Bring on some platforming love ! <3

Now that would be a great idea! As much as I like my FPS it would be nice to see a platformer that uses the 360s potential.

Zarnoss

5 years ago

Wonder when Banjo-Kazooie is going to come out?
Definitely need more platformers, I'm getting tired of the FPS barrage with the same ol' same ol' gameplay.Something moved...shoot it! *yawn*

Was talking with ugh the other night and would be good if there was a team type of game where there was no shooting involved but pure teamwork.Maybe competing against another team to build something perhaps.

Kaboth

5 years ago

Microsoft seems to rely almost totally depend on Rare to deliver family friendly products on the 360. Rare simply isn't big enough nor efficient enough to satisfy that demand alone.

GroovySamurai

5 years ago

^ Perfect Darko, Kameo and Viva Pinata are like top sellers on the 360 though? I think there doing a pretty damn good job.

Kaboth

5 years ago

Well Perfect Dark isn't family friendly. The other 2 are great but that's pretty much all the console has in the family friendly department. Well there is bionicles and Lego Star Wars as well I suppose. But still that isn't much. Granted the 360 has been out only a year but suffice to say there will be a hell of a lot of family friendly games on the Wii after a year.

For what its worth I don't include most racing or sports games under family friendly. Though they are rated G they typically don't appeal greatly to children and are pretty complicated for only casual gamers.

GroovySamurai

5 years ago

I see Perfect Dark like I do Halo - its a comical shooter. I know my younger cousins love to play it

But yeah I spose it isnt really a family game...

Considering the price point im doubting many kids are actually buying the console anyway its aimed at a older audience. But I spose thats when the arcade games come in? I know theres a lot of good kid games there eg. Uno, Cloning Clyde, Marble Blast ect.

Jellyfish

5 years ago

Well developers aren't exactly looking at the Xbox 360 and saying "Wow I must release my Hamtaro game on this!!!" are they? They're mainly focused on the DS and Wii now (since the PS2 is getting dead). You're comparing oranges and lemons there.

Kaboth

5 years ago

Well the average age of a gamer is about 25 now. The average age of an Xbox360 owner might be at least that due to the console's relatively high cost so its not hard to conceive that their might be a few rug rats running around wanting a go on Daddy's big grey box. Well easier than a hardcore gamer conceiving anyway. Sorry poor joke

But I suppose once PS2 dies out we'll see more of the multiplatform kid-friendly games heading to Xbox. All the usual Harry Potters and other movie franchises. It would be nice to see Microsoft trying a little more to make their image a little more kid-friendly though. SCEA certainly have a range of kid-friendly franchises.

Ellegarden

5 years ago

nikack wrote

I thought it was apples? Still dont get why capcom chose dead rising or lost planet considering they dont really any affliation with microsoft and it would be more profitable to port to ps3.

Jellyfish

5 years ago

UmbrellaCEO wrote

I thought it was apples? Still dont get why capcom chose dead rising or lost planet considering they dont really any affliation with microsoft and it would be more profitable to port to ps3.

I couldn't think of anything in the same family as Apples at the time. As the Wii and Xbox 360 was pretty similar and I was being pendantic.

There are heaps of things why they'd choose the Xbox 360. It's out and there's a very good supply of the consoles, not as expensive as the PS3, it has controller vibration and the controller is more suited to those kind of games (Obs go away

Jim Dash

5 years ago

Plus there are millions of 360's in people's homes, it's where the money's at due to the fact that their games will actually sell.

As if they shouldn't be on 360 or something..

Ellegarden

5 years ago

nikack wrote

UmbrellaCEO wrote

I thought it was apples? Still dont get why capcom chose dead rising or lost planet considering they dont really any affliation with microsoft and it would be more profitable to port to ps3.

There was apricots, orange and apricots a good mix.

I guess I messed up my point, I ment they could easily do multiplatform exception wii, yet they didnt? Lost planet is hot, Dead rising was hot, now if they add that to average launch titles they would've got better sales.

ugh the boot

5 years ago

^ Yea and crappier, less polished games. Capcom don't abuse multiplatform and their games are the better for it. They will usually only release their best games to make that extra revenue multiplatform. That's one of the reasons why they're my fave developer. Not always pimping themselves out like Ubisoft and EA.

Kaboth wrote

Oh go away, isn't one crappy kids machine good enough for ya?

What you fail to understand is kids games are usually crap!! I'm sick of crap games!!

Ellegarden

5 years ago

ugh the boot wrote

Actually famitsu gave it a good review, and I have played the demo on friend's xbox, I'm impressed, its a very good title. Dead rising also got a decent review. Devil may cry series is definatly a great series, and in no way they're pimping it out to other consoles, as they should. They've done it with resident evil but it still has wii-exclusivity currently like before.

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