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Xbox Family Picks for Holiday '04
Holiday shopping is always a chore, especially shopping for close relatives and friends, but Xbox Solution and Xbox.com aim to make that job a bit easier with our Guide to Holiday Shopping for the Xbox® Family! If your loved ones already own the Xbox, there are a slew of great games to choose from that will meet the tastes of gamers from all walks of life; young, old, young at heart, and gaming gurus, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get started with the most basic essential, the Xbox console. Every gaming household should have one, and it’s a great place to start for those on your list.
Hardware: The Xbox Console Whether you’re shopping for parents, children, or students, the Xbox is the console of choice this holiday season. Parents can rest at ease knowing it’s the only console that supports Parental Controls. Kids will have a blast for years to come with the ever-growing library of games tailored just for them. Priority number one this holiday should be securing a brand new Xbox for the whole family to enjoy. (Here’s a tip: Tell your other half it’s for the kids, and come kiddy bedtime you'll have the system all to yourself!)
Other Hardware Essentials Most Xbox console packages come with at least one S-Controller but you might consider picking up a couple more to have on hand for the great multiplayer experience many Xbox titles support. The console supports up to four controllers.
Have a buddy that you envy for his gorgeous HDTV? Consider presenting him this holiday with the Xbox High Definition AV Pack which connects the console to most TVs with interlaced component video inputs, including high definition-ready TVs that support 480i and either 480p, 720p, or 1080i component video signals for stunning video. Oh, the pack also supports digital or surround sound audio receivers. A must-have for any audiophile with an Xbox.
Need great sound at a bargain price? The Xbox® 5.1 Surround Sound System's versatility handles all of your gaming, movies, and music. With five independent audio inputs, this sound system is compatible with your Xbox, DVD player, CD player, computer, television, and many other formats.
For other great hardware gift ideas, check out Xbox.com's Hardware section.
Extending the Xbox If you or someone you know has a Media Center PC and an Xbox, then you’ll definitely want to listen to this! Bring your Media Center PC experience to your Xbox and turn it into the ultimate entertainment center with the Windows® Media Center Extender for Xbox. Enjoy digital music, photos, videos, and TV shows on televisions throughout your home. The feature list on this package is too long to list here, so be sure to check it out for yourself.
Xbox Live If you have a broadband connection and an Xbox console, then you’ll want to join the largest Xbox gaming community in the world, Xbox Live®. If you’re not an XboxLive subscriber, the Starter Kit is a great way to join the ultimate gaming arena. This all-in-one solution for new players includes a copy of Crimson Skies®: High Road to Revenge™, the Communicator headset, and a 12-month subscription to Xbox Live. In addition, most Xbox Live-enabled games come with a free two-month subscription, but you’ll need a headset to fully enjoy the service. And, for those eager gift-receivers who already have Xbox Live, perhaps a 12 Month Subscription Card will do the trick.
On to the Games! Now that we've covered the basics, it’s time to get into the meat of the gaming world, the games themselves. Worry not, shoppers, we have all types of gamers covered in this Holiday Pick List!
Keep in mind the following game suggestions are just what they appear to be, fully biased recommendations based on what gamers at Xbox Solution feel would be appropriate for the audience we are recommending them for. But, take it for what it is; even if someone is fifty years old they may really enjoy a game we’re recommending for a young child.
Games Perfect for the Children in Your Life
Spyro™ A Hero’s Tail: Help Spyro's band of five explosive allies track down and destroy the deadly dark gems, created by the evil and mysterious dragon Red to corrupt the once mighty Dragon Realms. Spyro is the cutest purple dragon you’ll ever meet, and this platformer is sure to please gamers of all ages, especially those young at heart.
SpongeBob SquarePants™: Battle for Bikini Bottom: The evil Plankton has set in motion his most diabolical plot ever to take over the world. The fate of Bikini Bottom has been put in the hands of three unsuspecting heroes. Play as SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, or Sandy Cheeks in this platformer geared toward the SpongeBob fans in your life.
Blinx® 2: Masters of Time & Space: The adventures continue for Blinx, the heroic cat with the ability to make time slow, fast forward, rewind, or stop. In this sequel, Blinx and his squad of tough, agile cats use their time control powers to battle menacing time monsters, outmaneuver the criminal pig gang, and discover why time is disappearing. Looking for a great combo pack? Pick up the original Blinx™: The Time Sweeper™ as well; it’s a steal at the Platinum Hits price.
Shrek 2™: Join Shrek and his friends, playing as a team of four traveling through twisted fairytale worlds and taking on challenges from the hit movie. You'll switch back and forth between Shrek, Donkey, Princess Fiona, and others as you use special skills to complete new missions. Kids of all ages will love taking on the roles of their favorite characters from the movie.
Finding Nemo: Here's a game no child’s collection would be complete without. Live out the movie as you help reunite Nemo and his father Marlin. Play as all three of the main characters: Nemo, Marlin, and Dory. Interact with characters and play mini-games throughout 15 different levels of the game. This is the true underwater experience brought to life on your Xbox.
Pitfall®: The Lost Expedition™: It’s Pitfall Harry, on the Xbox! Swing, fight, climb, and crawl through a multitude of treacherous South American environments, including lush jungles, dark tombs, ancient Aztec ruins, and glacial mountains. Pitfall: The Lost Expedition also includes favorite features from the earlier Pitfall games, such as swinging vines, gaping chasms, crocodiles, and scorpions.
Grabbed by the Ghoulies™: Take on the role of Cooper, a kid on a mission to rescue his girlfriend, who's been "grabbed by the ghoulies." Not only is this title great for children, but it brings a new level of presentation to gaming that only Rare could provide, making it an excellent choice.
We’ve touched on just a few of the great titles available for the youngster on your shopping list. For more ideas take a look at the Family Favorites page, and, keep in mind, most sports titles (with the notable exception of extreme sports) are also well-suited for children of all ages.
For a More Mature Crowd All right, we know you didn’t ask for it, but here it is anyhow. Games perfect for the mature adult that sneaks onto that Xbox after the kids have hit the sack. And, for that matter, these games are also great for more mature teens and college students.
Halo® 2: The most anticipated first-person shooter of all time is finally here! In Halo 2, the saga continues as Master Chief—a genetically enhanced super-soldier—is the only thing standing between the relentless Covenant and the destruction of all humankind. Full Xbox Live support makes this a must-have title for every Xbox owner. Halo 2 is Rated M, and definitely not a title for the kiddies.
Prince of Persia® Warrior Within™: Years of strife have passed. The Prince, now a battle-hardened outcast hunted by Fate’s demon forces, must embark on a fatal odyssey to defy his preordained death. Stunning graphics and countless weapons make this a melee frenzy awesome to behold. Warrior Within is also Rated M, so save it for after your young ones are in bed.
Need for Speed™ Underground 2: Explore a massive free-roaming city with five distinct, interconnected neighborhoods. Encounter rival racers who will school you in the ways of underground racing. Fine-tune every aspect of your ride’s handling and performance, and create your own personalized car with hundreds of new visual customizations. NFSU2 is the latest and greatest racer, with endless options for your tuning pleasure. NFSU2 is Rated E, so everyone can play!
MechAssault® 2: Lone Wolf: Continuing in the thirty-first century, MechAssault 2 gives gamers entirely new experiences in the epic BattleTech world. With 15 fully destructible environments, this third-person action-shooter takes immense firepower to another level. Full Xbox Live support, GTA-style Mech-jacking, and more make this title worth preordering, as it’s due out just after Christmas Day. MechAssault 2 is Rated T, so share it with your teens and adult friends.
ESPN NFL 2K5: The holiday season just wouldn’t be complete without some football. It’s the Season of the Fan, and everyone’s playing ESPN NFL 2K5, featuring the most responsive and intense gameplay around. 2K5 is our top pick for the gridiron, it's only $19.99, and it's Rated E so the whole family can play!
Fable™: The best gift an Xbox RPG fan could ever receive. Create your life story from childhood to death. Grow from an inexperienced adolescent into the most powerful being in the world! Choose the path of righteousness or dedicate your life to evil. It’s been in the making for years, and now you can pick it up and start your own story today. Fable is also Rated M, so save it for your college kid or that dinner party with your friends from work.
Ninja Gaiden®: Know someone who needs a challenge? This is about the toughest fighting game available on any platform. Take on the role of powerful ninja Ryu Hayabusa, who seeks revenge after his clan is massacred by the Vigor Empire. Ninja Gaiden is Rated M, and your adult friends will love playing it at your late-night New Year's Eve party.
Star Wars Battlefront™: Use any vehicle or weapon to take the Empire head-on or crush the Rebellion. Go solo or command the strength of an army at your back. Everyone knows a Star Wars fan, right? Battlefront is the latest of, count ‘em, eight Star Wars Xbox titles available, and this latest title features XboxLive multiplayer gameplay! Battlefront is Rated T, so pick it up for your favorite teen gamers.
OK, so you’re a bit disappointed we didn’t mention your favorite title, right? Well, trust us, we wanted to, but there's only so much we can put on one page before you fall asleep reading it! For a complete listing of available titles, check out the Games Catalog.
Have a safe and happy holiday season from everyone at Xbox Solution.
