Xbox 360 2008 Gift Guide

With new releases like LEGO Batman, Warriors Orochi 2, Pure (an off-road all terrain vehicle racer), Rock Band 2 (upcoming special edition on Oct. 19), Star Wars: The Force Unleashed and Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway, you might think the holidays might not have any more game offerings left for the Xbox 360. This year, gamers can enjoy several varied game titles this holiday season on the newly reduced price Xbox 360 (all release dates subject to change).

War games and shooters continue an all out assault in the market with Call of Duty: World at War (Nov. 11), a FPS set in the WWII Pacific Theatre; Tom Clancy’s EndWar (Nov. 4), featuring a WWIII scenario; the robot filled War World (Oct. 1) and Far Cry 2 (Oct. 21 – limited edition available), set in Africa. Vehicle stunts feature prominently in the new shooter Damnation (Dec. 16). The Xbox 360 exclusive Gears of War 2 returns to battle November 7 with a limited edition and special content filter options. The action filled Fracture (Oct. 7) features kinetic environments to destroy and manipulate to your advantage, while the first person shooter (FPS) Legendary unleashes the carnage of Pandora's Box. Fighting fans get a nice franchise match-up with Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe (Nov. 10), plus a collector’s edition.

The role playing sequel Fable II (Oct. 21, limited edition also available) is set 500 years after the first game. Fallout 3 continues the series’ post-apocalyptic adventures on October 28 while Last Remnant (Nov. 20) features four character groups and mysterious objects (a.k.a. remnants). Greek mythology runs rampant in the action RPG Rise of the Argonauts (Oct. 14). If you’re looking for action filled scares, then Silent Hill: Homecoming (Sept. 30) and Dead Space (Oct. 7) might fit the bill.

The music game genre has plenty of offerings like an encore edition of Dance Dance Revolution Universe 2 (with dance pad) coupled with the new Dance Dance Revolution Universe 3 (both Oct. 14). Microsoft’s karaoke game Lips releases November 17 exclusively on the 360, while Karaoke Revolution Presents American Idol Encore 2 comes out the next day on November 18. Guitar Hero World Tour (Oct. 26) offers expanded instruments plus online gameplay and music production options. High School Musical 3: Senior Year Dance (Oct. 28) also features a dance pad bundle version. Rock Revolution (Oct. 14) gives players multiple instruments, an online mode and recording options and Disney Sing It! (Oct. 7) offers yet another karaoke game choice.

Platform picks include Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts (Nov. 11), the third series installment, which features vehicle construction, Sonic Unleashed (Nov. 18), Crash Bandicoot: Mind Over Mutant (Oct. 7) and the third installment of the Legend of Spyro series, Dawn of the Dragon (Oct. 28).

On November 18, Prince of Persia continues his adventures with a new partner (limited edition also available) while Lara Croft seeks the Hammer of Thor in Tomb Raider: Underworld…maybe she’ll hit the big screen again in the upcoming The Avengers movie as she returns the blond giant’s lost weapon to him. The adventure Mirror’s Edge flies to gamers in first person perspective on November 11 while Saints Row 2 continues a tradition of crime filled action on October 14 (collector’s edition also available). He$st (Oct. 21), Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon (Dec. 1), Spider-Man: Web of Shadows (Oct. 21) and the FPS Huxley (Nov. 25), featuring mutated humans in a post-apocalyptic world, provide even more action/adventure options.

Two notable movie adaptation games releasing on November 4 are Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa and the third-person perspective action game of Bond…James Bond in Quantum of Solace (collector‘s edition also available). Other movie titles include Lord of the Rings: Conquest (Nov. 24), Wanted: Weapons of Fate (Nov. 25) plus the animated Tale of Despereaux (Dec. 2) and Bolt (Nov. 18).

If you still can’t get enough movies, try the Scene it? Box Office Smash trivia game (Oct. 28) or You’re in the Movies (Nov. 18), an 360 exclusive featuring the Xbox LIVE Vision Camera, which puts players right into different genres. Television shows also get some game time with History Channel: Civil War – Secret Missions (Nov. 4) and the trivia filled Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? (Oct. 22).

The Midnight Club racing series continues with a Los Angeles installment on October 21. Need for Speed Undercover (Nov. 17), Indianapolis 500 Evolution (Nov. 18), Stoked (Nov. 11) and SCORE International Baja 1000(Oct. 14) offer even more racing action. Sport fanatics can try Shaun White Snowboarding (Nov. 16), NBA 2K9 (Oct. 7), NCAA Basketball 09 (Dec. 2), WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2009 (Nov. 9), PES 2009: Pro Evolution Soccer(Nov. 11) and the rough, alternative football in Blitz: The League II (Oct. 13).