Nintendo has usually had a relatively fun list of games coming out around the holidays and the Gaming Angels are here to help recommend some games to you for that Nintendo fan in your life.

Kirby’s Return to Dreamland (E 10+) At a recent event, I was able to play Kirby’s Return to Dreamland. First of all who doesn’t love Kirby? Second, this platformer was created for families to play together. Players can easily join in or leave a game without interrupting play. Best part is no fighting over one player grabbing all the items because the team has one set score for all the items. Kirby’s Return to Dreamland encourages team work. ~ Trina

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword E10+) Five years ago, gamers were given The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess just in time for the Holidays. Nintendo has finally given us the next installment in their iconic series, and it’s far more than just a GameCube port as well. Most of us have many a fond memory of playing Zelda games we were gifted for the Holidays ranging back to our childhoods, and this game will certainly be another gem to add to our collections. ~ Vanessa

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D (E for Everyone) By now, the ‘Legend of Zelda’ formula is familiar. Heck, this game itself is probably familiar, given that this is a rerelease of a Nintendo 64 title (remember those days?). This game alone sold me on the 3DS’ 3D capabilities. It looks beautiful, and it’s great to have such an adventure available right in my pocket. ~ Tiffany

Professor Layton and the Last Specter (E for Everyone) Who knew that a game based on solving puzzles and riddles could not only be so much fun, but also revolve around an incredibly intricate story? That’s exactly what the Professor Layton franchise has done for the last three installments, and fans should be just as eager to get their hands on the most recent game. Even if you’ve never played a Professor Layton game before, all you need is a lukewarm affinity toward solving puzzles and a pension for mysteries to get wrapped up in the Professor’s latest adventure. ~ Keri

Wappy (E10+) The Wappy is just about the cutest thing ever. This virtual puppy comes to life in a robot form that interacts with you. Think Tamagotchi on a whole different level. This provides everyone with the fun of owning a puppy without the cleanup. ~ Trina

Gabrielle’s Ghostly Groove 3D (E for Everyone) I’ve been missing a good rhythm game in my DS since Elite Beat Agents’ release what feels like forever ago. Gabrielle’s a great follow-up with the perfect “girly” touch. Look, I like dressing up my game characters, what else can I say? ~ Tiffany

“I like what GamingAngels has done with these guides. They are great gift ideas and I think anyone, even Parents, can benefit from them.”

~ C. Donaldson National PTA

We got their attention and our Holiday Guides have been sent out nation-wide to each of the State PTA offices.  If you’re a member of your local PTA organization, keep an eye out for us!

If you run a blog or are part of an organization who may be interested in our Holiday Guides this year or for 2011 contact hokulani@gamingangels.com

I know you probably thought we were all finished with holiday guides, but I’m here to bring you one more for 2010. Today’s guide is all about last minute gifts, for those times when you realize right before the holiday that you’ve either left someone off your list, or you’ve been invited to a party that is participating in a gift exchange. I know a lot of offices participate in some sort of white elephant gift exchange during Christmas parties, and sometimes it’s hard to figure out what gifts to bring along. So, along with the rest of the staff here at GamingAngels, I’m going to give you some ideas of things you can grab to make sure you don’t show up empty-handed.

Pretty much everyone on the GamingAngels staff recommended some kind of gift card.  There’s a wide variety of options to choose from, and if you’re looking for something quick and easy, gift cards are your best bet.  The good news is that instead of the standard store card, there’s way more options for your monetary card purchase these days.

If you have friends that are into Facebook games, chances are if you walk into any convenience store, Target or Wal-Mart these days, you’re going to be able to find a points card for specific games: most especially those Zynga games like Frontierville or Mafia Wars.

For those artsy friends or family members on your list, you might try grabbing a Michael’s or JoAnn’s gift card which allow those creative types to buy supplies that they’ll be able to put to good use.

However, if you’ve got a little more time to plan, and want to give something a little more unique than a gift card, we’ve got some options for you there also.

My personal favorite would be to grab one of the plush microbes from ThinkGeek.com.  There’s a wide variety of options, and you’re bound to find something that your recipient will enjoy.  My recommendation would be to grab the one for the common cold.  It is winter here in the States after all and cold/flu season.  It’s the perfect way to give your friends the cold without making them miss work.  The giant plush microbes are fluffy and cute and less than $10, making it a great gift.

Check out the Fawkes & Codex poster! The gamer on your list will know who the people on this poster are. The poster is magic and brings good luck to all who hang it on their wall. Oh, and all proceeds go to Child’s Play to help out needy kids, which makes it a double-present.

And talking about Think Geek, they’ve got quite a few things that might be great for the geeks and gamers on your list.  Check out the Cable Monkey Organizer. This cute little guy will help organize that mess of cords at the back of your computer or TV. He is reusable which is way better than using those messy white ties.

Just in case, let’s also add something edible, like Caffeinated Hot Coco. How can this not be a wonderful last minute idea? Caffeine in something that I could say defines the Holidays. This little pick me up comes in three flavors: Vanilla, Pumpkin Spice and Dutch Chocolate.

If your recipient likes to keep a clean home, you might try a more practical gift like the Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner.  It’s a little pricier, but a good gift for that busy home owner on your list.  Of course, if you’ve got the money to spend and want to give something that might make a bigger impact on your recipient, you might want to try out something like the BISSELL Spotbot Pet Handsfree Spot and Stain Cleaner with Deep Reach Technology which makes a great gift for those pet owners on your list. Bissel’s Spot Bot Pet does a number of little jobs all at once. It is designed for cleaning up small messes or spills. It is a combination of brushes, a wet application of cleaning solution, and then a vacuuming action.

Lastly, if you want to grab a game, you can’t go wrong by grabbing the Collector’s Edition of Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood.  The Collector’s Edition has the cool Jack-in-the-Box Doctor.  The game is fantastic, and worth grabbing for the gamer on your list.  And if you’re going to be home during the holidays, it doesn’t hurt to grab yourself a copy too, then you can play multiplayer challenges with your friends.

Hopefully, we’ve given you a few ideas for items to grab as you prepare for that last minute dash to grab gifts this holiday season.

There’s plenty of good ideas here and I’m sure you’ll be able to find something that someone on your list would like. (If not, don’t forget to get yourself something nice for the holidays too!)

Xbox 360 (and Xbox Live)

Plants Vs Zombies was on our Casual Game Guide for 2009, the limited edition for the PC was on this year’s guide, and we like it so much we’re recommending it one last time. This popular game came to Xbox Live just a few months ago but the game has transferred so well to the console platform, it’s almost as creepy as those zombies.  You can grab PvZ on Xbox Live for1200 MS Points for the full game, though there’s a demo available if you want to try it before you buy it. ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+

Super Meat Boy was reviewed by our own @stealthyslyth just a little while ago.  The game has a bizarre sense of humor that’s endearing as only it can be when you’re playing a clump of meat who loves a girl covered in bandages.  It’s a hilarious take on the platform genre where the goal is to figure out how to rescue Bandage Girl from the evil Dr. Fetus. Get SMB on Xbox Live for1200 MS Points also, again with a demo available. ESRB Rating: Teen

Call of Duty: Black Ops is still new to store shelves and has been a huge hit among Call of Duty fans already.  Chances are COD fans on your list probably already have the game.  However, for gamers on your list that might need to branch out to the FPS genre, Black OPS might be the place to start. You can grab this game for the 360 and the PS3 through our Amazon store for $59.99. ESRB Rating:Mature

Fallout: New Vegas is the highly anticipated full game release follow-up to the FPS/RPG Fallout 3.  The game takes place 4 years after the events of Fallout 3 and in Las Vegas, Nevada, one of the cities in the Fallout story not to have been hit by a direct nuclear attack.  This affords the follow-up a different round of story lines, characters and conflicts than what’s been seen in previous installments.  The game is available for the PC, Xbox 360 & PS3.  The 360 version is $55.54 though our Amazon store. ESRB Rating: Mature

Enslaved: Odyssey to the West is one of the most surprising and unique stories that came to the Xbox this year.  It’s a twist on an old Chinese tale and the fine people at Ninja Theory, with help from writer Alex Garder put a spin on it that pleasantly surprised @Cherithe.  You can check out our detailed review of the game and then head over to our Amazon store and pick it up for the gamer in your life for $32.48. ESRB Rating: Teen

In Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar proves once again that they know how to bring an epic storyline to life. You follow John Marston on his road to redemption in a world where the old is clashing with the new. Expansions to multiplayer and the “Undead Nightmare” DLC make this a game in which you can easily clock 50 or more hours. The real question is how long it’ll take you to pick up your controller after you reach the shocking finish.  It’s available for $39.99 in our Amazon store. ESRB Rating: Mature

Playstation 3

The Sims 3 brings to consoles something EA hasn’t really done in the past, and that’s bring the full Sims experience to a console.  The Sims 3 is a leap forward in graphics and customization for the Sims franchise but it hasn’t always been a practical purchase for people with limited graphic capabilities on a PC or Mac system.  Now, you can bring that same experience to your PS3, which is perfect for fans of the franchise that may not have had the chance to keep up with it with the newest release.  The game is $57.99 in our Amazon store. ESRB Rating: Teen

Just Cause 2 is repeatedly playable for the ability to roam the island of Panau and coming up with more ridiculous ways to cause destruction. Want to tether a small plane to your passenger plane? Go for it. Want to drop them from a ridiculous height and watch the boom?  You can do all that.  Read @kweenie’s review from earlier this year and then you can pick the game up for $38.36 in our Amazon store. ESRB Rating: Mature

In Assassins Creed: Brotherhood The eternal struggle between the Assassins and the Templars rages on, only this time you get to hang out in Ancient Rome. Cool! Much like the subject it’s centered on, Assassin’s Creed has established itself as a powerful forced to be reckoned with, and as a franchise that delivers on the value time after time. If you’re at all interested in following Ezio’s story pick this up in our Amazon store for $54.44. ESRB Rating: Mature

Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom is absolutely gorgeous to look at and will surely find it’s place in the hearts of magic-lovers everywhere. For fans of co-op and varied gameplay styles, Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom looks to be the perfect sibling escape for those long holidays stuck with family.  Pick it up in our Amazon store for $39.99. ESRB Rating: Teen

The time for Grand Turismo 5 has finally arrived! One of the most talked-about games  of the new console generation has finally found a release date. Fortunately for PS3 fanboys everywhere, it’s a convenient 2 days before Black Friday. Looking forward to finally being able to play against 15 other people on the PlayStation network, pretty much since the PS3 was announced? Of course you are! And with its 1,000 cars, detailed damage models and course editor, Polyphony’s done this game right.  Pick it up for $59.99 in our Amazon store. ESRB Rating: Everyone

PC/MAC

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is a brave expansion by Blizzard for their popular MMORPG – taking a world they’ve built upon for six years and starting fresh. That takes guts, but it also makes the entire world ripe for discovery, whether you’re level 5 or level 80. Not only that, but you get two new races, the ability to fly through older areas, and character creation is really opening up, making this trip to Azeroth almost completely new. ESRB Rating: Teen

Civilization V was overplayed before release and has been quietly keeping RTS fans up late into the night as they learn all the new techniques to tackle this update to the Civilization franchise.  The game has gotten little press in the deluge of other big games released this fall, but believe us, it’s worth the money for the RTS lover on your shopping list.  There’s been a ton of updates to the gameplay and graphics and is great addition to any PC gamer’s collection.  Grab it in from the Amazon store for $39.99. ESRB Rating: Everyone 10+
Aion : Assault on Balaurea is an expansion to the hit MMORPG from NCSoft.  The expansion has increased the game’s level cap to 55 and offers a boat load of new features to the game.  Fans of Aion will enjoy the 8 new instances, as well as the new zones and new pets.  The expansion has Twitter integration built-in so players can quickly show off their in-game achievements to their Twitter friends.  Pick up this expansion for $33.22 right now in our Amazon store. ESRB Rating: Teen

Nintendo Wii

Kirby’s Epic Yarn was the darling of E3 this year, and for good reason, since it really brings the whimsy to your Wii. The craft-themed platformer turns the series on its end, since Kirby’s main power (inhaling things) doesn’t really work – he’s made of yarn after an encounter with an evil magic sock! Yarn, it turns out, does not hold air that well. Patches, however, do. You’ll have to find seven of them to restore Patch Land and go home, but before you do, you’ll be turning Kirby into rockets, robots, and more – not to mention taking a turn as an interior decorator. You’ll find it in our Amazon store for $47.99. ESRB Rating: Everyone

Epic Mickey isn’t even out yet but we’re convinced that even gamers that have set their Wii’s aside are going to want to check this out.  Mickey Mouse is main character in this darker tale from Disney, where artwork plays a huge part in the story.  Mickey has to travel through an alternate world called the Wasteland armed only with a paintbrush and some turpentine.  Epic Mickey is going to be good for gamers of all ages and you can pick it up for the Wii family on your list for $39.99 starting November 30th in our Amazon store. ESRB Rating: Everyone

In Metroid: Other M Samus Aran made a surprising return this year.  For fans of story heavy Metroid games, this series update by Team Ninja.  @Cherithe did a review after the game came out that you can read here.  In Other M players get a good look at some of the history of Samus’ life.  This is a must have for Metroid fans on your holiday shopping list and you can pick it up now for $37.49 in our Amazon store. ESRB Rating: Teen

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That’s what we have for you this year.  I hope we’ve helped in even a small way to make holiday shopping for the gamers on your list easier.  If not, we encourage you to check out one of the other holiday guides we’ve provided this month: Gadgets, Casual Gaming, MMORPGs,  Anime & Manga, Hobby Angels and Pop Culture.  We’re positive that something will be the perfect gift for the gamers and geeks in your group of friends or in your family.  Enjoy!

And for those of our readers in the states, we here at GamingAngels.com wish you a very happy Thanksgiving!

Research all video game ratings at the official ESRB ratings site

So, we’ve already covered hobbies and gadgets, as well as Japanese culture, casual games and MMOs. But there’s a great big world out there that is a little harder to categorize – pop culture. And while I just said it’s harder to categorize this stuff, I’ve gone ahead and done it anyway. Ha.
And so, it’s time to say hello to what I’m calling the three Ms of pop culture – Movies, Makeup, and Memorabilia.

Movies

There are so many fun movies out there that it’s hard to pick just a few to display here, I’ll be honest. But I hope I’ve picked a mix of recent films and classics that almost anyone with a bit of a geeky side can get behind.

Inception (Blu-ray/DVD combo pack) – $24.99 at Amazon
This summer’s mind-blowing blockbuster is finally coming home next month, giving you the chance to review its every moment from the comfort of your couch. This examination of dreams and memories, meshed with the craziest heist you’ll ever see, warrants repeat viewings. I recommend once a week.

Back to the Future trilogy (Blu-ray box set) – $47.99 at Amazon
If you don’t know BttF, you were probably born very recently. These movies made time travel cool, and definitely gave me a little bit of a crush on Michael J. Fox (they also gave me my name for my “just woke up” hairdo – the Doc Brown). This new box set features all three films, upscaled for high-definition screens, as well as hours of bonus features.

Toy Story trilogy (Blu-ray box set) – $64.99 at Amazon
This suggestion is great for kids (especially “big kids”) or the whole family. The three movies, starting with Pixar’s first feature-length computer-animated film, have their share of teary-eyed moments as well as a sense of humor and humanity that other film companies try, unsuccessfully, to mimic. This set includes the movies on Blu-ray and DVD as well as digital copies for each so you can watch on the road.

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy) – $24.99 at Amazon
Imagine being Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) and learning that to be with the girl of your dreams, you’d have to defeat her seven evil exes in battle. Yeah, you wouldn’t be too happy about that, would you? This highly-stylized film, full of hilarity and video game references at every turn, is sure to please any geek on your gift list.

Makeup

Yeah, I’m a gamer,  but I like being pretty, too. I’m a makeup geek! It happens. When I’m not worrying about which games I’m going to buy, I’m counting down the days until MAC collections release or making a quick stop by Sephora (you go in there for one thing, but walk out with five – it never fails). Luckily, makeup manufacturers put together some pretty nice gift sets for the holidays.

Smashbox Eye Wish Palette – $45 at Sephora
This little guy contains everything you need to perfect several eye looks, including liner and primer. There’s really something in there for everyone, from the smoky eye aficionado to someone who likes to add a splash of color to a look (and really, who doesn’t do that from time to time?). The only drawback to this box, in my opinion, is that there’s nothing that really pops (like a bright blue), but that does make sure that it’s a “safe” gift for most makeup lovers.

Urban Decay Beauty in a Box – $52 at Sephora
If someone you know has always wanted to give one brand a try, this might be the perfect way to ease them into it. The “Beauty in a Box” kit comes with step-by-step instructions to create a look that is beautiful on pretty much anyone. Not to mention that it comes with everything you need – aside from foundation.

Sephora Fragrance Samplers

Deluxe women’s sampler – $50 at Sephora
Collector’s Edition women’s sampler – $75 at Sephora
Deluxe men’s sampler – $50 at Sephora
Collector’s Edition men’s sampler – $75 at Sephora
Sephora has, for the past couple of years, had one of the best holiday gifts around, in my opinion. Their fragrance samplers offer something for almost every sense of smell in two varieties, with the Collector’s Edition containing some pricier parfum, in larger volumes (about .2 oz per sample in the CE compared to the deluxe’s .05 oz). You just try them all out, decide which you like best, and redeem the coupon that comes in the box for a full-size version of your favorite. And then you still get to keep the rest of the samplers – those take forever to use up, anyway! It’s a gift that lasts, and the giftee ultimately gets to pick out his or her own present. It’s kind of a win-win (unless they assume that you think they stink – might want to add a disclaimer in the card).

The 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave – $100 at Sephora
Men who shave know the value of a good one. The oil, balm and cream in this kit – which are infused with essential oils to provide a baby-smooth face afterward – soothe the face and help prevent ingrown hairs and other facial irritations.

Memorabilia

If it was a movie, TV show or video game, chances are there’s something out there for its fans. Action figures, lunchboxes, T-shirts and even clothing replicas are out there on the Internet. Luckily Entertainment Earth does a pretty good job keeping track of almost everything geeky in the world (and they’ve got a pre-Black Friday sale going on now that slashes some prices up to 75% – the items for that are changing pretty often). Here’s what I found to make a variety of people happy. A lot of their stuff sells out fast, so if you see it – get it.

Customized bobblehead figurine – $99, requires 8 weeks of lead time
Before, someone had to really dig you to make a bobblehead of you. Or even an action figure. This simplifies the process, allowing you to pick a body (even including two that are, inexplicably, on the toilet), add in eye, hair and skin colors, and let someone else do the sculpting. It’s not cheap, sure, but you’ll have the coolest desk trinket in the office.

If you’re buying for someone who loves comics
Companies make cool, comic-related items all the time. You can practically drape your entire house in them, if you check out this Marvel Comics mural (perhaps perfect for a “man cave” or an office). Yeah, it’s $249.99, but really – who needs wallpaper? Maybe you’re giving to someone who prefers the DC side – that’s fine. This poker set combines the ladies of the DC universe with a fun game, packaged in a slick carrying case and including custom chips ($169.99, currently available for pre-order, delivering in December). If your giftee is willing to wait a few months for the final result, this statuette of Wonder Woman from issue 600 ($104.99) is likely to become more of a collector’s item, thanks to the new uniform. If your budget is on the small side, you can try out a Justice League lunchbox ($8.99), or even use it instead of wrapping paper for a super-usable gift container.

Dude, where’s my TARDIS?
If your recipient is into the Who, EE offers up a ton of goodies related to the Doctor, especially his time-traveling vehicle. In fact, you can almost have a TARDIS party – with mugs ($18.99), cookie jars ($26.99) and ice buckets ($21.99) available. Most of these (well, except the mug) make fun noises, too. You can have a spinning TARDIS on your desk ($35.99), a flight-controlled model based on the latest Doctor Who season’s TARDIS ($35.99) and even a tiny, useful TARDIS keychain ($10.99) that hides some coins for you. If you want something even more useful, the Doctor’s sonic screwdriver even exists in new life – with Philips and flathead tips included ($30.99).

Movie madness
Companies love making movie replicas and other movie-related items. To go along with my movie recommendations, try checking out a replica of Marty’s multicolor hat ($21.39) to make it look like you just came Back to the Future. Shiny!
I love that characters from Toy Story are all toys – it makes them a lot more likely to actually create versions of the characters from the movies, and here are only a couple of them. First off, Barbie and Ken come in a set (of course), outfitted in their 80s gear, shiny Spandex and all ($33.79). (Speaking of Barbie, her computer engineer version is coming soon for $12.99 – inspire a young girl to enter a tech career!) An actual version of Buzz Lightyear doesn’t just “fall with style” – he flies for real and you control him by remote ($35.99).
This Ghostbusters tee puts you in the proper gear without the weight. Or the difficulties of putting on an entire suit. Or dealing with slime. Nice. ($23.99)

Hopefully this gets you ideas for almost anyone on your gift list!

Great Games to Play with Your Family During the Holiday Season

Poo

Here’s a game that is sure to please your family, even if on first glance it seems really gross. Poo is a card game that applies the mechanics of, you guessed it, flinging poo at other monkeys. The rules are simple: fling poo at the other monkeys and try not to accumulate 15 poo (if you do, you’re out of the game). It takes about 15 minutes to play and you can play with anywhere from 2 to 8 players.

Poo is available from Amazon for $12.99.

Munchkin

If the notion of Poo is making you queasy or you’re just not digging the poo flinging, then might we suggest a friendly game of Munchkin. Only, Munchkin is rarely friendly. After all, the whole point of the game is to backstab your buddies all the way to victory. There are a plethora of flavours when it comes to Munchkin. I recently discovered the joys of Munchkin C’thulu.

If you’re just starting out with Munchkin, I suggest trying some of the less rules-intensive versions like regular Munchkin (without its various expansions), Munchkin Fu, and Space Munchkin. The full-list of Munchkin spin-off games is quite interesting.

Munchkin is available from Warehouse 23 for $24.99.

Dominion

This game is the mother-lode. Dominion is a mash-up of a collectible card game and board game but is greater than either. Although the rules can get quite complicated, especially when you throw in the many expansions, it is a game that anyone can pick up by playing a couple of games. The aim of the game is to build the most valuable deck, which represents your Kingdom. You can create this deck by buying useful cards from the 17-20 resource decks or buying up land/titles.

Depending on the cards available, turns can be lightning quick (buy stuff, end turn) or players can chain Action cards for more powerful attacks or deck upgrades. The very nature of the game is unpredictable so even if you’ve played this game many times before, the combination of cards makes highly improbable that you’ll be able to try every combination available.

Dominion is available from Amazon for $44.99.

Apples to Apples

Apples to Apples is a favourite holiday game within my family of gamers. The light-hearted and hilarious nature of the game makes it easy to pick up and enjoy. One player (the judge) draws a green apple card that has an adjective written on it. The players then look through their deck of red apples to choose the most appropriate/interesting/hilarious noun or gerund to match with the adjective.

Judge flips through the players’ choices, chooses his/her favourite, rinse and repeat often to create side-splitting results.

Apples to Apples is available from Amazon for $26.99.

Dixit

Dixit has been on my wishlist since PAX, when I first heard about it. The beauty lies in the game mechanics, which aren’t traditional mechanics at all. This is a game of storytelling. The more creative you are, the better you’ll do. And, from my understanding, this is the kind of game to play with kids that love to tell stories to encourage even more creativity.

Dixit is available from BoardGameRatings.com for $25.95.

Best Games to Buy for Board Game Lovers

Arkham Horror

This is not a game for the faint of heart or the short on time. Arkham Horror is a Lovecraftian board game, bent on destroying players through various means. Unlike many board games, this is a game of co-operation where players pool resources and put their heads together to come up with a plan to avoid the awakening of The Old One. The complex nature of the game means that you’ll be investing anywhere from four to eight hours (yes, you read that correctly) in a single game. All in all, however, the game is a lot of fun to work through (albeit a bit frustration).

Arkham Horror is available from Fantasy Flight Games for $59.95.

Space Hulk

This is the kind of game that people dubbed “Warhammer Lite”. It’ll get you good and hooked on playing tabletop war-games so that when you have the great epiphany to play Warhammer 40K, Games Workshop will be there to hook you up. Joking aside, Space Hulk is an excellent introduction to tabletop war-games without the investment required to start a full on army.

A two player game, Space Hulk takes place on a derelict giant spaceship (known as a space hulk) and pits Space Marines against Genestealers. In order to attain victory, you’ll have to be fast on your feet and make decisions quickly.

Sadly, Space Hulk was a limited release and is now only available through eBay.

Hecho

Hecho from Glowfly games is an all ages, everybody plays at once, game of chaos and fun.  The goal of the games is to build as many buildings as possible.  When the game starts, everyone has 5 resource cards in their hand (resources help you build buildings and consist of: metal, plastic, concrete, wood, brick and glass) and the rest of the cards go in a giant messy pile in the middle of the table.  There’s six stacks of building cards, and the top building on each stack flips over at once and the game begins.  Then it’s a mad dash to try and match the resources you have with the buildings on the table that are available to be built.  It requires a bit of quick math, but you don’t have to be exact about it.  There’s a few other special cards in the mix too: a specialist that lets you use one resource as another (let’s build a glass building out of metal, because our metal specialist is that awesome) and wild cards that can stand in for any of the six resources.

You can play in rounds – as soon as one of the six building stacks has been completely built, that’s the end of a round and then the winner after three rounds, wins the game.  Each building has a point value, so it’s not about how many buildings you’ve built, but what they’re worth that gets you the win.  Games are quick, usually less than 5 minutes per round and are typically sort of madness that’s perfect for family gatherings where everyone can join in on the fun.  Also worth mentioning is that the cards are all in Spanish (with English translations) so Hecho (Made) is also a little bit about learning — but you don’t have to tell the kids that.

Hecho is available from Amazon for $14.95.

Globalization

Globalization by the Brothers Knudson, brought to you by Closet Nerd Games, is a competitive game of world domination, one corporation at a time.  It’s a little like Monopoly, but instead of moving around a board building on spaces, you’re buying up companies in regions on the map.  The best part of globalization (besides outbidding your opponents for companies) is the names and descriptions for the companies themselves.  The whole game is rife with puns and in-jokes.  If you’re a fan of Monopoly because you like making money and hording it so that you can make all the others pay for their crimes against humanity their insolence, then this is the perfect game for you.  There’s a lot of money management involved (obviously) so it’s not necessarily great for younger players.  But if you’ve got a bunch of Wall Street fancy-pants coming to your house for the holidays, then break it out and watch them go insane.

No fancy pants investment bankers or stock traders in your family?  Globalization is still a good time.  Build your multi-national corporation by buying up businesses and trying to figure out the best ways to monopolize regions and industries.  And stick it to the man by blocking your opponents by building their own global corporate empires.  Just make sure you block out enough time to play; time flies when you’re trying to amass a billion dollars.

Globalization is available from Amazon for $39.99.

For the RPG Fan on Your List

D&D Red Box

Welcome to the new hotness in D&D boxed sets, The Red Box. If you have a gamer on your list that has never played Dungeons & Dragons (let alone any other kind of pen & paper RPG), this is the perfect gift to introduce him or her to the game (without overwhelming them with rules). The Red Box comes with all of the tools necessary to start up a game of D&D: an introductory version of the D&D 4th Edition rules, dice, dungeon map, and an adventure.

The Red Box is available from WalMart, Target, and Amazon for $19.99.

Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay Boxed Set (or Dark Heresy)

Depending on whether or the gamer on your list is interested in fantasy or sci-fi, there are two games that actively satisfy their (potential? resounding? all-encompassing?) love of Games Workshop: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (WFRP) and Dark Heresy.

WFRP is in its third edition and has completely revamped the rules from a d10 based system to a custom dice system that makes it really simple for anyone to jump into the game at any point. The Boxed-Set (although pricey), much like the Red Box, has everything that a player needs to get started: dice, four rule books, character cards, power cards, and card holders for the characters. The setting is much as the game suggests; it’s set in the universe of Warhammer Fantasy. Your adventures take place anywhere from The Moot to Reikland.

Dark Heresy is, well, dark. It takes the universe of Warhammer 40K and tosses it in the hands of RPG players. Unlike WFRP, this is a true roleplaying experience that utilizes the same d10 system that WFRP used in its earlier editions. The lore is juicy. The writing is crisp. And, best of all, this is an engrossing universe full of opportunities to maim, destroy, and be all kinds of treacherous. Or, y’know, be a goody-goody Inquisitor. Whatever floats your boat.

Both games are available through Fantasy Flight Games. WFRP Box Set is available for $99.95. Dark Heresy’s Core Rulebook is available from $59.95.

Dread

Here’s a game you might not have heard of. The first time I heard of it was during a PAX Panel with Geek Nights called “Beyond Candyland”. Dread is an unusual RPG that doesn’t use dice. Instead, it uses Jenga. Yes, Jenga. At first, I was perplexed. And then I thought about it. Jenga requires a steady hand, an agile mind, and a lot of planning. When combined with the likes of Dread, you get a game that is no longer just about moving blocks. It’s about running from zombies. Or a serial killer. Or a horde of angry villagers after you accidentally set their town hall on fire.

Dread rewards proactive thinking. If your party is about to wipe, you can be the hero (because once someone knocks over the Jenga blocks, that person dies). Knocking them over on purpose means that you die, but you die like a hero; you could throw yourself into the angry mob and save everyone.

Oh yeah. Heroics are awesome.

Dread is available through Tilting at Windmills for $24 (Jenga is extra).

The Holiday season is now upon us, and it’s never too early to begin shopping for the anime/Japanese culture fan in your life. Two of my personal favorite sites for this are; Play Asia and the official Square Enix Shop. You can find a variety of wonderful gifts here, and many for an affordable price. (Square Enix also features a nice line of expensive jewelry themed after many of their successful games.)

Square Enix Shop
Bleach Play Arts Kai, Volume 1; $42.99 (each)

The newly released Bleach Play Arts Kai, Volume 1 were released this fall and would be the perfect present for any Bleach fans, like myself. Play Arts Kai are some of the best articulated figures on the market, and look wonderful on display or simply left in their box. Volume 1 includes Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki and Toshiro Hitsugaya, each complete with their Zanpakuto. I’m personally hoping to find the lovely recreation of Ms. Kuchiki under my tree this year.

Square Enix Shop
Final Fantasy XIII Serah’s Engagement Pendant; $249.99

Final Fantasy XIII was highly successful this year, and the individual characters had very memorable designs. To commemorate the game’s characters, Square created a line of jewelry, including the lovely engagement pendant Snow gave to Serah. Although a bit on the pricey side, the sterling silver necklace is beautiful, unique design and would make a lovely present for any fashion savvy nerd this Holiday season.

Square Enix Shop
Chrono Trigger Formation Arts; $39.99 (set of four)

Many of us are happy to discover that Square Enix hasn’t completely forgotten Chrono Trigger as a series, even if it is only in merchandise form at the moment. This lovely set of formation arts comes blister boxed and includes detailed figures of your iconic team, including; Crono & Frog, Crono, Robo & Ayla, Crono & Magus, and Lucca & Robo. Here’s hoping the next set will include both Marle and Ayla!

Square Enix Shop
Metal Gear Solid Peacewalker, Play Arts Kai, Snake; $44.99 (Sneaking suit version)

Metal Gear Solid is one of my favorite game series of all time, and although a Konami IP, I’m glad that Square obtained the rights on it (like the Bleach figures above) to produce their own line of breath takingly detailed Play Arts Kai. The line of course begins with Snake (Biggu Bosu~), and hopefully Square will expand it further to characters we Metal Gear fans also adore. (Hint, The Boss!)

Square Enix Shop
Kingdom Hearts Charm Bracelet; $126.99

This sterling silver charm bracelet is perfect for any fans of Kingdom Hearts who are looking to subtly display their fandom in a more classy way. The bracelet comes with one charm, the signature heart featured on the logo of the games, and many more are available to be purchased seperately. (Like Kari’s star shaped charm, or a crown for Sora.)

Square Enix Shop
Final Fantasy Plush White Mage Chocobo; $20.99

We Final Fantasy fans are frequently bickering about which game in the series is the best. But what we can all agree on is that the traditional parts of every game are always respected. Especially the Chocobos, our friendly yellow means of transportation in most games of the series. This adorable plush Chocobo dons the classic White Made robe and hood, and is super affordable for those looking for a nice present on a budget, or a stocking stuffer.

Play Asia
Shigenori Soejima Art Works 2004-2010; $37.49

Shigenori Soejima is the designer/artist mostly famed for his beautiful work in the Persona series, and Atlus’ upcoming Catherine. This beautiful collection of his work is printed on quality paper and is considered a must have for any Persona fan, or fans of his art style in general. I’ve always been a sucker for art books and find them inspiring for artists and non artists alike.

Play Asia
Evangelion: 2.22 You Can Not Advance [2-Disc Edition]; $36.29

Now available on Blu-Ray, You Can Not Advance is the follow up to You Are (Not) Alone. Evangelion has been re-envisioned with completely updated art, and further developed story. Considered one of the holy grails of the anime world, this two disc set would be a pleasant surprise for any hard-to-shop for giftee this holiday season. (Here’s hoping I’ll get one, too!)

Play Asia
Monster Hunter Pre-Painted Candy Toy: Airou Case; $5.40

Monster Hunter Tri is one of Japan’s best exports, and will soon be returning to the PSP as well as the Wii which was released earlier this year. These adorable cats are your helpful (or occasionally thieving) comrades during your journeys, so who wouldn’t want a cute little candy filled toy replica of one?

Play Asia
Anime Calendar 2011: Code Geass Lelouch of the Rebellion R2; $19.99

One of the most practical gifts you can give during the Holidays is a calender for the upcoming year. Play Asia has a wonderful selection of anime themed calenders, with exclusive artwork from all of your favorite shows, including Code Geass, even though the series concluded. These calenders by Etoile are printed on high quality paper and are larger than the usual North American calenders you’ll find, usually featuring unique art by the series’ creators.

I hope this list and the websites assist you guys in all your Holiday shopping endeavors this season! Happy Holidays from the GamingAngels.com staff!

Do you have a special someone in your life who is just addicted to MMORPGs? And I’m not just talking about World of Warcraft here. Stumped with what to get them for the holidays? Well I have some suggestions that should help you out.

If you have someone suffering from WoW burnout or wanting to try something new, I recommed these MMOs:

Star Trek Online: One of the newer MMOs on the market Star Trek Online (or STO). It’s received some mixed reviews but I know of many a casual player who has enjoyed becoming a captain of their own ship in Starfleet. The game itself is available on Amazon for $17.18, and you can always surprise someone with some game time!

Dofus: Dofus was the first MMO that I actually played. It’s a fun Flash based MMO developed and published by Ankama Games. It actually has two tiers of play: Free to Play and Pay to Play. The F2P area is pretty extensive, allowing players to access the new player area, Incarnam and the city of Astrub. If players want access to other cities and areas they can subscribe to the game either for a month, three months, six months or a year. This subscription also opens up faction PvP battles and the ability to raise crafting skills above 30. So it could be a great gift to give either a current player a subscription or to start off a new player with a subscribed account!

Aion: Aion came out last year, and there’s been an expansion released already (Assault on Balaurea). The game, with it’s beautiful graphics and gameplay has been a hit among many players since it’s release and the community has remained strong. You can get Assault on Balaurea for $33.22 or the original game for $13.75. If you have someone who is already playing Aion, you can also buy them some in-game items like weapon skins and in-game pets via the official Aion site here!

Guild Wars: With Guild Wars 2 on the horizon, if someone hasn’t yet had the chance to play it I highly recommend it. The original game has three parts to it, and it has been one of my favorite MMOs that I’ve played. The game centers around the story of the last Tyria. The game allows players to choose between ten different professions and customize their characters looks. Players can also choose between PvP or PvE play. The best part? No subscription necessary! You can pick up the original three games together on Amazon for $39.99 and the expansion Eye of the North for $8.80.

Don’t think that a new game is what they’re looking for? Then there’s always shiny, new hardware! Like these mice from Razer: The Razer Naga($79.99), the Razer Naga Molten Special Edition($79.99) and the Razer Naga Epic($129.99). The Naga and the Molten Edition are the same, but differ in paint jobs. The Molten Naga is definitely geared towards the World of Warcraft: Cataclysm expansion, but would appeal to anyone who likes firey things. Razer Naga mice are known to be really nice pieces of hardware and many MMO players recommend them. But what make sthe Naga Epic so special? Well it can function as both a wired and wireless mouse, charging station doubles as a wireless transmitter and it has interchangeable ergonomic side panels so that you can adjust it to fit your hand comfortably. And what MMO player wouldn’t like the 17 programmable buttons??

Steel Series WoW Cataclysm gaming mouse

If you have someone who is a huge WoW fan and is excitedly awaiting the Cataclysm expansion, you could pick up this snazzy mouse from SteelSeries: the official WoW Gaming Mouse($99.99). It works on PC or Mac and has 14 buttons that you can bind to various in-game commands. This mouse is also ergonomicly designed for ultimate comfort during raids or quest grinds, and features 16million colors so you can customize the lighting to make it as pretty as you want. Plus it lets you create 10 individual profiles that will be linked to your armory!

And this leads me into gifts just for the WoW fan in your life. Blizzard has always released some great things for fans to get and this year they have even more things to offer! There are the adorable Wind Rider Cub and Baby Gryphon plushies that you can get in the Blizzard store which come with an in-game pet as well! There is also their line of figures for fans who like action figures to decorate their shelves or even work desks.

If you want to get them something in-game, there’s two new downloadable items you can buy in the Blizzard store: Lil XT and the Celestial Steed. Lil XT is a companion pet that is a miniature version of the boss in Ulduar, and he even has a temper tantrum. And everyone knows about the Celestial Steed: the land and flying mount that looks like a constellation. You can also put forth some in-game currency and get them the infamous Mekgineer’s Chopper (or Mechano-Hog if you’re Horde). It’s pricey, but for someone who loves their mounts, or is going for the Mountain o’ Mounts achievement it’d make a great gift.

May or may not instill fear in others

You can also branch out and get them some geek apparel from Jinx. Jinx has a great WoW section and I’ve personally already bought a few shirts for myself. Not too long ago they came out with a fall line that includes some murloc shirts as well as a Hogger shirt. And for those who want to show some faction pride, there’s new Alliance and Horde symbol shirts. I also saw some great new products at Blizzcon that a Jinx rep told me would be released sometime in November. They include Alliance and Horde themed hoodies, polo tops and shirts as well as a Murloc hoodie, complete with spines down the hood. You can also zip it all the way up if you feel like doing your best murloc impression. I’d recommend keeping your eyes on the Jinx site during November for these new items!

Another piece of hardware I’d recommed are the WoW gaming headsets from Creative. I recommended these last year when I thought they were coming out before the holidays but alas I was wrong. But this year they are available and I’ve heard good things! The headsets come sporting either Alliance or Horde insignias on each earpiece. The headsets come as both USB wired($73.70) or wireless($129.99). The wireless headset comes with a small USB charging cable and the battery will last for up to 9 hours of use. The headsets are also noise canceling!

Lastly, there are the great steins you can get from Taverncraft. I’ve personally been wanting a couple of these for my own, and I know of many other WoW fans who wouldn’t mind having these sitting in their geek dens or to use for drinks during raid night. Some of the newer steins released by Taverncraft are the Alliance and Horde Legendary Steins. They feature gold tops and detailing and are a limited edition. There will only be 999 manufactured before they are gone forever! The $189 price tag is a bit hefty, but it’s for a great collectible. Not to mention the Legendary Alliance stein is what Jack Black drank from at Blizzcon. Another new stein is the RAWGRLRLRLRRLGLRL!!! stein, or more simply, the Murloc stein. This one features those little creatures that we all love to hate. You can also get the Tankard o’ Terror from Taverncraft, which brings an in-game item to life.

I hope that this guide can help you out with some ideas for that MMO fan in your life!

This has been an interesting year for Casual Games. Here is a selection of gifts for the casual gamer on your list.

Facebook Credits – There has been a shift in Casual Gaming toward social gaming and just about every company has a representation of a game on Facebook. Most of these games are playable for free, but can be greatly enhanced with paid goods or services. Facebook credits are available in a variety of denominations from $10 to $50 and can be purchased at participating Target, WalMart, Gamestop, and Best Buy stores, and are available online through Target or WalMart. You can also use the store locator on Facebook.com to find the closest retailer near you and help spruce up your friend’s farm in Farmville, add some extra sparkle to your Mom’s Bejeweled Blitz, or add some blood to your boyfriend’s Vampire Wars bank account.

Bejeweled 3 - PopCap is releasing the newest incarnation of its flagship superstar on December 7th online and in retail stores for a suggested retail price of $19.95. With this latest version of quite possibly the world’s most popular match 3, it seems as though they have taken a bit of the best from every manifestation of Bejeweled, combining the smoothed out multi move classic game-play with gorgeous HD graphics, scenic backgrounds, an elaborate soundtrack, and added some new and powerful gems, secret games, mini games, and achievements. So far, there aren’t preorder options, but sign up at PopCap.com to get a reminder when the game, good for gamers of all ages, is finally available!

Nancy Drew Collectors Edition Fan Favorites - Her interactive has just released a brand new collection of their most popular Nancy Drew games as voted on by fans of the series: Treasure in a Royal Tower, The Secret of Shadow Ranch, and Curse of Blackmoor Manor. The keepsake tin features cover artwork from all three games and also includes a specially designed journal complete with original, never-before-seen game concept sketches and pages for keeping track of clues. This collection is a must have for every Nancy Drew fan on your list. This collection is available exclusively from HerInteractive.com for $49.99 and is a good choice for young adult and adult Nancy fans.

Plants vs Zombies Game of the Year Edition - I recommended this game last year, but with the new Limited Edition it’s bigger and better than before. In case this one somehow has still slipped through the cracks for your favorite gamer, it should be tops on the list! Still one of my favorites and a game that I can’t stop playing, PopCap‘s Plants vs. Zombies Game of the Year Edition offers more than just a chance for gamers of nearly all ages, to defend their brains against the onslaught of hungry zombies by harvesting the power of the sun and propagating the perfect plant platoon in the day or night, on the front lawn, the pool in the back, on the roof, and in the fog. This newly expanded version comes complete with the interactive Zombatar, in which players can make their own zombies and watch them come to life on the lawn. This game is now even more crazy hilarious fun no one should have to go without – especially during the holidays! Available online from Amazon.com.

Club Pogo Membership - For the non-Facebook online gamers on your list, you might consider gifting a membership to Pogo.com’s premium service: Club Pogo. I also recommended this idea last year and STILL believe it’s a great gift for both social and online gamers on your list – even for the most casual of casual gamers. If the badge collection, double jackpots, and virtual pet aren’t enough, access to a multitude additional games and the absence of ads and intermissions is definitely worth the $5.99 a month. Club Pogo is a great way to give gamers opportunity to find some new favorites as well as play some of the best Pogo originals and downloadables from other top companies.  This would be appropriate for older teens and adults due to the possibility of uncensored chat in some game rooms.   Available from Pogo.com.
Twisted Lands: Shadow Town - This hidden object puzzle adventure from Alawar Games takes players through a dark and creepy adventure to help a man find his missing wife after they crashed on a mysterious deserted island. Twisted Lands: Shadow Town, the first game in a new saga that will explore the emotion of fear. It’s not scary but it has a very sort of psychological horror very similar to old Lovecraft novels where something is off but you can’t put your finger on what.  Read Cherith’s review of Twisted Lands: Shadow Town on GamingAngels.  This is intended to be creepy and would only be appropriate for older teens and adults.  Available online from Alawar Games for just $6.99.

keyboard sold separately

iPad
Price: $549-$879

First, let’s start with the big ticket item for this year’s guide: the Apple iPad. As many of you know, this wonderful piece of technology is great for any person that loves their technology.  This little “do-it-all” is great for travel with wifi or 3G connection, the business person that needs to stay informed with their apps, or even for a student to take notes or work on assignments on the move.  The great thing about the iPad is the fact that it can be used as an e-reader with the help of many applications and can also be used for playing games. The iPad comes in a number of gigabit sizes ranging from 16GB up to a 64GB. The price of the iPad is determined by gigabyte size as well as the connection function. The cheaper versions of the iPad only have wifi connectibility, while the more pricey models have both wifi and 3G.

Available from the Apple Store

Able Planet Noise Cancelling Headphones
Price: $149.99

These headphones are a great gift idea for the music lover or gamer on your list. With noise cancelation technology, they can take people further into a different world than ordinary headphones. They are lightweight, cute, comfortable, and foldable for easy storage. They feature Linx Audio for great sound, in line volume control for ease of use, and come with adapters to make them usable with several different devices, as well as a soft carrying case and the necessary AAA battery. What’s more, this is a gift you can feel good about because 10% of the purchase price for these headphones goes to support breast cancer research.

Available from AblePlanet.com
GA Review by Dawn

CM4 Catalyst Case - PAX 2010 Edition

Catalyst DSi Case from CM4
Price: $19.99

As a gadgets editor, it wouldn’t be a holiday guide if I didn’t recommend some form of gadget protection. This year I’m recommending the Catalyst DSI case from CM4. This sleek and sexy case is a very classy way to protect a gaming machine that provides endless hours of entertainment. The case itself, is an Aluminum frame tightly wrapped in soft-touch fabric gives many of us older gamers an option for protection other then those in your face Nintendo characters in bright flashy colours. As well, the DSi can be played while it is in the case which gives the player extra grip.

Available from from CM4
GA Review by VioletZombie

The Flip UltraHD

Flip HD Camcorder
Price: $149.99-$249.00

I believe that every family should have a camcorder, I honestly do. I think it’s important to capture those special moments within a persons life: first steps, first throw or even first temper tamtrom. You can keep it all on film. The Flip HD camcorder is a wonderful addition to any family or to give to a friend who is always putting up videos. The camcorder itself comes in three main types; SlideHD, MinoHD and the UltraHD, with the UltraHD and the MinoHD available in 4GD and  8GB while the SlideHD is only available in 16GB.  These camcorders are easy to use and make uploading videos a breeze with the build in USB  connector. No longer will you be searching for those messy cords. What makes the SlideHD different then the MinoHD and the UltraHD is that the SlideHD can slide out to reveal a larger screen were you can watch back your movie.

Available from TheFlip.com

Microsoft’s Xbox Kinect
Price: $149.99

In terms of game gadgets for this season, the Kinect will be the hot item for your Xbox 360. The whole concept of Kinect is that you are the controller, no stick to waggle or balance board to stand on. As you move and play, the image upon the screen will do the movements that you are performing. The way that Microsoft is promoting Kinect is that it is full body gaming, where facial, voice and skeletal recognition will provide gamers within an involving experience. There will be 15 games available specifically for the Kinect, updates for several existing games to work with the Kinect and several more on the way for the holidays. As a warning for parents that aren’t familiar with the new Xbox hardware – you do need to have an Xbox 360 in order for the Kinect to work.

Available from Amazon.com