Nintendo Wii 2009 Gift Guide

Look for more, but not exclusively, "active" games in the 2009 Wii holiday game calendar, which includes fitness, fusion, frights, family fun and food. All release dates are subject to change.

This year players get great sets like the essential Metroid Prime Trilogy Collector’s Edition and Wii exclusive games like intense adventure Dead Space: Extraction as well as affordable games and updates like Wii Fit Plus, which features customized workouts programs based on specific body areas.

On November 17, EA Sport Active expands with the More Workouts expansion pack (Nov. 17) featuring a six week challenge. Daisy Fuentes Pilates features the popular style of exercise in various settings and customization options. Your Shape (Nov. 24) includes a camera so players work out without any controllers and features Jenny McCarthy as the workout guide. Ania Rubik helps players through Yoga (Nov. 4), which features the balance board and/or remote usage. Walk it Out features extensive music tracks and uses the balance board, remote/nunchuk or DanceDance Revolution floor pads.

Adapted from the television show, The Biggest Loser lets players train on the ranch with a friend or against former contestants with special weigh-ins, a calorie counter, and a customized program that also accounts for real world exercise. Jillian gets into the game on her own with Jillian Michaels’ Fitness Ultimatum 2010, which features fitness programs for up to six months.

FIFA Soccer 10 delivers a new “strike it” system and online play with another player in two-on-two matches and tournaments. Game Party 3 has 19 games, including eight new ones in a four player cooperative mode plus a 16 player bracketed tournament mode. Deca Sports 2 features all-age sports activities like hockey, ice skating, tennis, kendo, sync swim, darts, and dodge ball. Wii Sports Resort, Grand Slam Tennis, and Tiger Wood PGA Tour 10 all use and can be purchased with Wii MotionPlus included.

F1 2009 (Nov. 17 also available in limited edition racing wheel bundle) has split screen formula one racing and four control schemes while younger players can drive as Alex, Marty, Gloria, Melman, King Julien, or a penguin in Madagascar Kartz (Oct. 27). Need for Speed Nitro (Nov. 2) feature fast visuals and Tony Hawk: RIDE (Nov. 17) has a specialized wireless skateboard controller.

If you need a fighting angle, then try WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 or Punch-Out along with a separate WiiWare title, Doc Louis’ Punch-Out (free for Club Nintendo members). Winter sport games include Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage (Nov. 8) and Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games with more all-age competitions with balance board options.

Rapala We Fish adds some fishing humor and multiplayer modes while Bass Pro Shops: The Strike features an options rod and reel controller. Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2010 challenges players to conquer different environments for high profile hunts while offering the Top Shot sawed off shotgun peripheral.

Active action games feature some very unique fighting titles. Nerf “N-Strike” Elite (Oct. 27) features first person shooter action for two players with a real NERF Switch Shot EX-3 blaster that has a red flip-up viewer to view hidden items and special messages throughout the game. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Reflex (Nov. 10) utilizes the Wii Zapper, online multiplayer mode and a two player cooperative campaign mode.

The Conduit has FPS thrills in single player mode or online, which supports the Wii Speak peripheral while Tom Clancy’s HAWX and Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces (Nov. 10) feature jet fighter action.

Go medieval on your opponent in the Wii debut of Valhalla Knights series, Eldar Saga, or investigate a crime scene in CSI Deadly Intent. Franchise action games include Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes and LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues (Nov 17).

Music fans can find Band Hero (Nov. 3, available in a superbundle), which features drums, bass, and microphone as well as guitar. LEGO Rock Band (Nov. 17) features David Bowie, Blur, and Iggy Pop built to rock while Rock Band: Metal Track Pack expands existing music game catalogs. DJ Hero (Nov. 3) tests your turntable skills and also has an available Renegade Edition featuring Jay-Z and Eminem. The Wii exclusive Dance Dance Revolution: Hottest Party and Disney Sing It: Pop Hits, available with or without microphone, continue two popular series. The Wii exclusive Just Dance (Nov. 17) lets players shake their moneymaker through a 60 year music history.

Games with more scare tactics include Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (Nov. 3) plus the Wii exclusives Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles (Nov. 17) and Ju-On: the Grudge, which simulates a haunted house experience. Jurassic: The Hunted has dinosaur action while the action role playing game Muramasa: The Demon Blade has artistic action supported with extraordinary graphics.

My Sims Agents expands simulation elements into investigative teams, gadgets and floor by floor bases. The Wii exclusive Spore Hero expands the unique creative creature series as players defend their home planet. Action fans can also try Spyborgs, Overlord: Dark Legend, and NARUTO Shippuden: Clash of Ninja Revolution 3 (Nov. 17), which has new Wi-fi battle modes.

Movie adaptation games include James Cameron’s Avatar (Dec. 18), Planet 51 (Nov. 17), Where The Wild Things Are, and Astro Boy: The Video Game, which features a side-by-side two player co-operative mode. Players can also test their movie knowledge in the latest Scene It? trivia game, Bright Lights! Big Screen!

The Ben 10 television show continues their game series with Vilgax Attacks (Oct. 27) while Secret Saturdays debuts with Beasts of the 5th Sun. Another action TV series, Kamen Rider Dragon Knight, will also spin off a Wii game on December 22 while the popular Bakugan TV series releases Battle Brawlers.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Nov. 15) includes new items like a propeller suit and other special action based on the unique Wii controls.  Rabbids Go Home (Nov. 3) has comedy and adventure while Tornado Outbreak turns chaotic weather into an entertaining experience without casualties. Toy Story Mania incorporates 3D glasses while A Boy and His Blob has two dimensional platform adventures.

SimAnimals Africa (Oct. 27) features various mini-game and species-based scenarios in rich environments where players can control the animals. Other simulation themed games include Space Station Tycoon (Dec 3), Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Littlest Pet Shop Friends, Build-A-Bear Workshop: Friendship Valley (Nov. 10), My Baby 2, and My Baby First Steps.

Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter (Oct. 27) features an action drawing tool where items can be directly drawn into the game. Girl oriented games include iCarly, We Cheer 2 (Nov. 3), and Charm Girls Club Pajama Party, which has 30 party games and multiplayer options for up to eight players.

Hasbro Family Game Night 2 (Oct 27) includes a family game show mode and Mii integration while Storybook Workshop (Nov. 10) reimagines 16 classic tales with audio recording and voice altering options. Puzzle seekers can try Where’s Waldo? The Fantastic Journey and Roogoo TwistedTowers while mystery seekers can catch up with the Agatha Christie Two Pack.

Taste filled games include Sushi Go Round or Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked (Nov. 3) have culinary challenges ranging from breakfast to family dinner. We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Nov. 3) offers a unique Wii holiday activity experience with an advent calendar, sing-a-longs, and yule log mode.

Affordable games are more important and plentiful than ever. The Wii exclusive Cook Wars offers new food challenges while Family Party: 30 Great Games Outdoor Fun has active multiplayer fun for everyone. Action games include the new military helicopter platformer Pacific Liberator while Call of Duty fans can find the third installment at an affordable price as well as LEGO Batman, Build ‘N Race, Monster Trucks Mayhem, and Ultimate Duck Hunting.

WiiWare game releases include Contra Rebirth, Harvest Moon: My Little Shop, Ant Nation, DRiiFT Mania, Arkanoid Plus!, Word Searcher, Oregon Trail, Tecmo Bowl, Pokemon Rumble, and Frogger Returns. On November 16, players can get a black colored Wii remote and nunchuk. Be sure to save those gift cards for No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle (Jan. 27, 2010) and Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars (Jan. 26, 2010).