Batman: Arkham City
From engrossing single player titles to fun-filled multiplayer sessions, take a look at this Christmas’ top games to keep things merry.
Batman: Arkham City
- Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
- Price: €49.99
This much-anticipated sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum sees the dark knight enter Arkham City, the new open-air maximum security prison for all of Gotham City’s worst criminals.
If you ever wanted to see what it would be like to be Batman, then this is the game for you. You can take advantage of the equipment from Batman’s utility belt, undertake forensic investigations, sneak up on enemies for silent take downs, brawl with criminals or encounter Batman’s deadliest foes. You can also play as Catwoman, who has her own set of gadgets and combat moves.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
- Platforms: PC, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360
- Price: €49.99
This blockbuster shooter became the fastest-selling entertainment release ever, so you’ll have plenty of people to play with through online multiplayer.
The latest instalment includes two-player co-op mode, new play modes and new weapons, which will keep you occupied throughout the Christmas season.
Its single player campaign lets player take control of numerous characters to engage enemy forces in locations such as New York, Paris and Berlin.
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
- Platform: Nintendo Wii
- Price: €43.99 for game. Wii Motion Plus for the standard Wii Remote costs €20 or a full Wii Remote Plus controller costs €39.99.
Nintendo’s landmark adventure series The Legend of Zelda is 25 years old this year and what better way to celebrate it than with Skyward Sword?
This game introduces full motion control to the series with either the Wii Remote Plus or Wii Remote with Wii MotionPlus, meaning that when you swing your controller, Link will swing his sword the same way.
Players must master this control style to develop counter attacks for enemies. They can also use these controls with their extra equipment, such as with bombs and arrows.
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
- Platform: PlayStation 3
- Price: €49.99
The third instalment of the action adventure gaming series Uncharted pits fortune hunter Nathan Drake and his mentor Victor Sullivan against a shadowy clandestine organisation in their journey into the Arabian desert.
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception includes hand-to-hand combat with multiple opponents, new stealth and gunplay options, the return of multiplayer with added cinematic elements and lots of new locations to explore. Its engaging story and action-packed gameplay will keep you hooked over Christmas.
Nintendo 3DS
- Price: From €154.97
Nintendo’s newest portable console adds 3D visuals to the mix, which can be adjusted to your liking.
It has two screens – the bottom touchscreen utilises a telescoping stylus stored in the unit and the top screen shows off the 3D visuals without requiring glasses. It also includes 3D VGA cameras and Wi-Fi connectivity.
There are a few Nintendo 3DS console bundles released in time for Christmas, which includes a black Legend of Zelda bundle, a white Super Mario 3D Land bundle and a pink Nintendogs and cats bundle.
Super Mario 3D Land
- Platform: Nintendo 3DS
- Price: €34.99
The latest instalment in the Mario series fuses the plumber’s timeless platforming action with the Nintendo 3DS’ visuals.
Mario can use classic and new abilities to make his way through the Mushroom Kingdom. The Tanooki Mario makes a return, letting Mario glide in mid-air. New guises, such as Boomerang Mario and Statue Mario, add new ways to progress through the levels.
Dance Central 2
- Platform: Xbox 360 with Kinect Sensor
- Price: €44.99 for game. Kinect costs €149.99.
If you want to gather your friends around for party games for Christmas, then Dance Central 2 is the game for you. Using the Kinect, the game fully tracks the body movements for up to two players.
This means you can challenge your friends to a dance off with music from chart-topping acts such as Daft Punk, Rihanna and Lady Gaga.
Kinect: Disneyland Adventures
- Platform: Xbox 360 with Kinect Sensor
- Price: €54.99 for game. Kinect costs €149.99
If you have any young children begging you to bring them to Disneyland, this could be the next best thing for them. Kinect Disneyland Adventures lets them step into Disneyland park to explore their favourite attractions and undertake challenges from Disney’s characters using the controller-free motion sensor Kinect.
The game includes 20 of the park’s attractions and Disney locations, including Peter Pan’s Neverland, an island from Pirates of the Caribbean and the world of Alice in Wonderland.
It also features 40 characters, including Mickey Mouse and Snow White, and 100 challenges.
