We’ve got a lot of great games we’re recommending this year. They’ll be listed by system and arranged by age range – so youngest ages or games with an E rating first. If you think we missed something, leave a comment and let us know!  Surprising, even to us, the DS is our heavy-hitter in the recommendation department this year.  There’s a lot of great games out there this fall.

And then, tomorrow, you can be on the look out of what games and items each of us are asking for this holiday season. Enjoy!

Nintendo DS

Mario and Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story
Rating: E for Everyone
Developer: Nintendo
Price: $33.99
Release Date: September 14th, 2009
GA Amazon Link
A brand new story featuring our favorite plumbers and their nemesis bowser.  This time, you get the option of two different story lines, one feature Bowser, and one focused on the microbe sized plumbers and their princess. ~Cherith & Netzach

Professor Layton & Diabolical Box
Rating: E for Everyone
Developer: Nintendo
Price: $28.82
Release Date: August 24th, 2009
GA Amazon Link
Gaming Angels Review
Professor Layton and Luke are back with another wonderful puzzle filled tale. When the Professor’s mentor is found dead in his apartment, the pair finds themselves in pursuit of an infamous treasure and the mystery surrounding it. ~Yukino

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky
Rating: E for Everyone
Developer: Nintendo
Price: $29.82
Release Date: October 12th, 2009
GA Amazon Link
The latest installment in the Pokemon series, Explorers of Sky lets you play as one of 19 different Pokemon. There is a fairly good amount of reading in Pokemon titles, so if your child struggles with reading, this is not the game for them. ~Yukino

Scribblenauts
Rating: Everyone 10+
Developer: Warner Bros.
Price: $27.99
Release Date: September 15th, 2009
GA Amazon Link
Scribblenauts is an adorable game that’s fun for all ages. It’s got a bunch of challenges and the ways they can be solved are limited only by your imagination, so even after you beat them, it’ll be different every time you go back. ~Cherith & Netzach

Nostalgia
Rating: Everyone 10+
Developer: Ignition
Price: $33.99
Release Date: October 27th, 2009
GA Amazon Link
This is an amazing little RPG from Ignition. It’s got a great story, combat system and entertaining characters. It’s reminiscent of Skies of Arcadia, but now on the DS with a fun soundtrack and AIRSHIPS! You can’t go wrong with this for RPG fans. ~Cherith & Trina

Naruto Shippuden: Ninja Destiny 2
Rating: T for Teen
Developer: Nintendo
Price: $27.99
Release Date: September 15th, 2009
GA Amazon Link
Following the storyline of the popular anime series and showcasing the grown up, new look of Naruto and his friends, this 3D fighting game will test players’ ninja skills through head-to-head matches on their quest to save what’s most important to them: their friendships. ~Yukino

Sushi Academy
Rating: T for Teen
Developer: City Interactive
Price: $19.99
Release Date: November 2nd, 2009
GA Amazon Link
Japanophiles in particular will enjoy this game that follows a similar sort of formula as the Cooking Mama series – except it’s sushi of all different types. You’ll be amazed at how many different sushi dishes are available, and amused at the reactions your sushi sensei has upon completing your chosen dish. Definitely a lot of fun – Japanophile or not. ~Naomi

Nintendo Wii

Squeeballs Party
Rating: E +10
Developer: PDP Gaming
Price: $19.99
Release Date: October 15th, 2009
GA Amazon Link
See Cherith’s Review here
This game can’t really be talked up more than it already was in my review. But, even if you’re not picking it up for yourself, it’ll be a great addition to the collection of the avid Wii gamer on your list. ~Cherith

New Super Mario Bros Wii
Rating: E for Everyone
Developer: Nintendo
Price: $46.99
Release Date: November 15, 2009
GA Amazon Link
A throwback to the original Mario Bros style, you can now play with up to 4 people with the newest Super Mario adventure for the Wii. Work together to complete the level, while battling each other for most points or coins collected.

NewU Fitness First Personal Trainer
Rating: E for Everyone
Developer: Lightening Fish
Price:
Release Date: September 18th, 2009 (EU)
See more at the NewU website
If you are already using your Wii to get fit by using either Wii Fit or EA Sports Active, then here’s another one to add to your collection. It includes exercise plans for those who don’t exercise at all, to exercise plans for those who regularly love to feel the burn. And in addition to that, it also has a whole heap of recipes (with instructions) and can create a weekly meal plan as well as sorting out your shopping list for you! Brilliant! (Not currently available in the US. ~Naomi

Beatles Rock Band
Rating: T for Teen
Developer: EA
Price: $239.00 ($49.96 Game Only)
Release Date: September 9th, 2009
GA Amazon Link or here (game only)
This is great, even for people that don’t think they know Beatles songs, playing through the story mode of Beatles Rock Band gives you an amazing look at their history and you’ll probably recognize more songs than you think. The title has also had strong DLC which will keep you playing. ~Trina

Muramasa: The Demon Blade
Rating: T for Teen
Developer: Ignition
Price: $46.99
Release Date: September 8th, 2009
GA Amazon Link
Check out Stealthyslyth’s review
Beautiful animation and a good soundtrack make it such an interesting and beautiful game, I caught myself staring at the scenery quite a bit and enjoying the music before moving on to a new area. At points it even felt as if I was playing inside of a painting. RPGs and/or side scrolling game fans will highly enjoy this game! ~Stealthyslyth

Playstation 3

Beatles Rock Band
Rating: T for Teen
Developer: EA
Price: $239.00 ($49.96 Game Only)
Release Date: September 9th, 2009
GA Amazon Link or here (game only)
Take a trip back in time with the entire family with Beatles: Rock Band. Play as the Fab Four, rocking out in some of their most memorable stages with classic songs. All new Harmonies mode for up to three vocalists brings even more fun to the party. ~Yukino

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2
Rating: T for Teen
Developer: Tecmo
Price: $56.99
Release Date: September 29th, 2009
GA Amazon Link
Gaming Angels Review
Defend your family’s honor as Ryu Hayabusa in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. The Spider Ninja Clan has plans to allow the Underworld the chance to be free on earth. Updated from the 360 version, NGS2 has higher video resolution, a new look for Ayane, and new boss battles. ~Yukino

Batman: Arkham Asylum
Rating: M for Mature
Developer: Eidos
Price: $52.99
Release Date: August 25th, 2009
GA Amazon Link
Gaming Angels Review
One of the best comic book based video games ever made, Batman: Arkham Asylum is an original story in the Batman universe. When the Dark Knight easily captures The Joker, it seems he has been lured into an elaborate trap. ~Yukino & Stealthyslyth

Playstation Portable (PSP)

Undead Knights
Rating: M for Mature
Developer: Tecmo
Price: $39.99
Release Date: September 29th, 2009
GA Amazon Link
Gaming Angels Review
Control zombie minions as you seek revenge against the king for your wrongful murder. Undead Knights features customizable characters, an awesome metal soundtrack, and catchy pick up and play gaming. ~Yukino

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona
Rating: M for Mature
Developer: Atlus
Price: $36.99
Release Date: September 22nd, 2009
GA Amazon Link
Remake of the original PS1 title, with updated graphics for the PSP, Persona is a unique role playing game, using social networking to create new “Personas”, beings who aid our high school heroes fight against the demons that are invading the city. ~Yukino

Xbox 360

Beatles Rock Band
Rating: T for Teen
Developer: EA
Price: $239.00 ($49.96 Game Only)
Release Date: September 9th, 2009
GA Amazon Link or here (game only)
Gaming Angels Review
Take a trip back in time with the entire family with Beatles: Rock Band. Play as the Fab Four, rocking out in some of their most memorable stages with classic songs. All new Harmonies mode for up to three vocalists brings even more fun to the party. ~Yukino

Magna Carta 2
Rating: T for Teen
Developer: Namco
Price: $56.99
Release Date: October 13th, 2009
GA Amazon Link
Stripped of her crown and throne by an evil usurper, Princess Rzephillda plans to regain her rightful place and is accompanied by Juto, a boy who does not remember his past but could be the key to ending the war. This RPG boasts over 40 hours of gameplay, stunning cinematics and blends real time and turn based elements during battles. ~Yukino

Borderlands
Rating: M for Mature
Developer: 2K Games
Price: $39.00
Release Date: October 20th, 2009
GA Amazon Link
Borderlands is an interesting game mixing an action and shooter style. It’s got a fun cooperative game play and a lot of new and cool gear. Also, this is one of the great new games in the RPG-FPS genre. ~Stealthyslyth

Brutal Legend
Rating: M for Mature
Developer: EA
Price: $44.00
Release Date: October 13th, 2009
GA Amazon Link
See RachelZoe’s review here!
Brutal Legend is a fun game with a great soundtrack for all the metal heads out there. The storyline is great and the various references that you’ll find in the game are awesome. ~Stealthyslyth & RachelZoe

Dragon Age: Origins
Rating: M for Mature
Developer: EA/Bioware
Price: $44.00
Release Date: November 3rd, 2009
GA Amazon Link
Bioware has done it again with this great RPG title. The story is engaging, the controls are easy to pick up and fans of Mass Effect or Fable II are going to be in for a treat with this game. And for a stocking stuffer – you can grab the prequel novel too!~Cherith & Netzach

PC

The Sims 3
Rating: T for Teen
Developer: EA
Price: $39.99
Release Date: June 2nd, 2009
GA Amazon Link
Read Cherith’s review
The Sims is always a good time if you’re into it. The new installation in The Sims franchise did not disappoint this summer, and has just recently released the first expansion: World Adventures. Definitely a must for Sims fans! ~Cherith & Stealthyslyth

Aion
Rating: T for Teen
Developer: NCSoft
Price: $46.99
Release Date: September 22nd, 2009
GA Amazon Link
A brand new fantasy world full of strange  inhabitants, creative enemies, and lots of secrets. Aion has an innovative  PvPvE system new to MMOs by combining both PvP and PvE gameplay. Good for MMO fans looking for something new.  ~Cherith & Stealthyslyth

Torchlight
Rating: Unrated
Developer: Runic Games
Price: $19.99
Release Date: October 27th, 2009
Grab it from the Torchlight site
This is an innovative new Action RPG in the same vein as Diablo, but with a bit of a Warcraft feel.  It’s cheap, it’s got great game play, with a straightforward play style that’s easy to pick up and put down whenever you want. ~Cherith & RachelZoe

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