Present and Correct - a Gamer's Christmas

Christmas, it has to be said, is a stressful time. Standard family issues apply - where to go, who to dine with, how drunk to get. Don’t want to piss off relative X, but you haven’t seen Y in time… It’s a logistical nightmare getting wherever, and you have to be happy and chatty with a whole bunch of people you wouldn’t normally hang out with. And then you have to give them things.

It’s a goddamn minefield of hassle is what it is. Presents + people + vegetarians = Hassle!

Which is why, us loveable Skinny souls have come up with a bonus buying beacon of hope in such dark, dark times. In an effort to remove the grief of present buying for a gamer. Read the following paragraphs and, with very little knowledge of who you are buying for, you will be able to do so, with utmost confidence. Aren't we lovely to you?

The Gamer: any guy you know, aged 18 and above who you could describe as playing 'a lot of computer games' is a simple one to buy for. They will have either an Xbox 360 or a Playstation 3. Fact. And if they don’t already, they will appreciate a good and true shooter.

For those with a 360, everyone needs to have Gears of War 2. Aliens, guns and chainsaws on guns. It is a seminal shooter that any avid gamer will be happy to play.

For those with a PS3; similar things can be expected of Resistance 2: Fall of Man. Another epic sequel to a great game. And one that won’t go wrong for an avid gamer.

Things to remember: find out the console – each game is specific; and both are violent, so not for the young ‘uns.

A Twenty-something with a Console: they have a console, but you wouldn’t call them a ‘gamer’. They spend some time playing, probably multiplayer, but won’t be playing games over t’ interweb any time soon. These people will always appreciate a good sports game. Middle of the road if you will; but FIFA '09 will sate anyone with a console and a love of football. Guitar Hero: World Tour will do the same for those with a love of music. People who don't like music or football don't exist (or, if they do, get a racing game).

The Wii Buyer: everyone knows one, they went and got themselves a Wii after playing a mate's but don’t really know what to buy/play/do now. It could be anyone: a mother, a workmate, your dog – but they got sucked into the world of gaming and are now a wee bit confused. Not to worry, as they can be easily catered for. If they like puzzles, a good bit of sudoku or anything a bit cerebral, Mercury Meltdown Revolution is an excellent budget buy. It's been out for over two years, but has been overlooked – think a labyrinth style tilt game, but with an extra layer of puzzley goodness on top. Otherwise Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games is another aged classic, but for those who don’t already have it is a mine of simple but quality mini games, playable by all, and enjoyable by all – having a whole host of recognisable characters, playing easily recognisable and understandable games. A perfect companion to the Wii.

Other options:

Outside of buying games specifically for a person, Christmas is a good time to break family into the new way of gaming. Boardgames are the traditional fare, but there are many available games which can entertain a drunk and soporific family equally as well. Buzz! (or any similar quiz game) is a simple concept - fastest finger first general knowledge - and is a welcome alternate to Trivial Pursuit. Singstar (on Playstation) or Lips (on 360) are both classic games for any party scenario, and you will be pleasantly surprised by how much people will like this - the scoring of karaoke could not be done much better. Both are really, really, games for everyone.

So there you have it, a few options to cover most scenarios. If these fail you - apologies. Ask the guy in the shop. Or don't get them a game, fuck the good present idea entirely. Get them some 'smelly' and a cookbook with a leering cockney, you won't see them for another year!