| Xbox 360 was the number one smash hit for | | | | The war between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel |
| Christmas gifts last year. The reasons are obvious: | | | | Alliance has left the galaxy far, far away a huge |
| more visual effects, better console, incredible action, | | | | mess! But luckily with LEGOs, rebuilding is easy! Play |
| and excellent game choices. This year again teens will | | | | through the original trilogy, Star Wars, The Empire |
| be playing Xbox 360 games with their friends, | | | | Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, as all three |
| comparing games at school, and buying, renting or | | | | movies are re-created using LEGO bricks. You can |
| swapping the new Xbox games out this year. Here | | | | play as one of 50 different characters and can even |
| are some of the top picks for Christmas 2006, and on | | | | get out of vehicles and ride on various creatures. |
| into 2007, in a variety of categories, such as action | | | | Our recommendation: If you liked the first Star Wars |
| adventure, first person shooter, sports, and role-playing. | | | | game, this one should definitely be on your list. If you've |
| You'll find something for everyone. | | | | never played the first game, then this one must be on |
| 1. Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter | | | | your list! So really, there isn't any reason not to own |
| In 2013, the U.S. Army will implement its Integrated | | | | and play this game. |
| Warfighter System. IWS combines advanced weapon | | | | 7. Madden NFL 07 |
| systems, satellite communication devices, and | | | | With Madden NFL 07, innovative rushing controls allow |
| enhanced survivability features into a fully integrated | | | | you to control the running game like never before, with |
| warfare combat system. The face of war has | | | | all-new jukes, cutbacks, and the distinct running styles |
| changed in Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced | | | | of your favorite backs. For the first time, in a football |
| Warfighter. Enemy lines are blurred and there is no | | | | video game, you can step up as the lead blocker to |
| clear opponent. New enemies and threats require a | | | | create a hole, and then take control of the tailback to |
| new type of warfare and a new kind of soldier. Enter | | | | smash through, jump over, or tear away from any |
| the Ghosts. | | | | would-be tackler as you head for the end zone. |
| Equipped with cutting edge weapons and | | | | One fan raved, "Overall it was exactly what i was |
| communications systems, you will find yourself, one of | | | | looking for, ... the new features are all fun, and the |
| the Ghosts, immersed in a detailed universe which is | | | | individual camera view for every position in superstar |
| warfare in the near future. One gamer exclaimed, | | | | mode gave u a feeling of really playing as the |
| "This game is a pure showcase of next gen gaming. | | | | character. This will be a great game to play alone or |
| the graphica are downright gorgeous and this actually | | | | with a group of friends." |
| helps to immerse you into the story. and the story is | | | | 8. Dead Rising |
| riveting enough to actually make you care about | | | | Dead Rising follows the harrowing saga of Frank |
| mexico city... do your self a favor and buy this game." | | | | West, an overly zealous freelance photojournalist on a |
| 2. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion | | | | hunt for the scoop of a lifetime. In pursuit of a clue, he |
| Like earlier games in the Elder Scrolls series, Oblivion is | | | | makes his way to a small suburban town only to find |
| designed to present a living fantasy world that gamers | | | | that it has been overrun by zombies. He escapes to |
| experience on their own terms. The game is populated | | | | the local shopping mall, thinking it will be a bastion of |
| with over 1,000 NPCs, each leading a fully realized life, | | | | safety, but it turns out to be anything but. |
| following regular schedules according to their individual | | | | In the intense struggle to survive the endless stream of |
| wants, needs, and positions. Players are encouraged to | | | | zombies, players have full reign of a realistic shopping |
| interact in the world as they choose, as noble heroes, | | | | center, utilizing anything they find to fight off the |
| greedy villains, or anything in between. The game's | | | | flesh-hungry mob. The variety of stores in the mall |
| main story and its sidemissions provide plenty of | | | | offers players an endless supply of resources including |
| fast-moving adventure. | | | | vehicles, makeshift weapons and more. Players |
| Advised one fan: "This Game Is Like Crack. Massive | | | | encounter other survivors along the way, and by |
| enivornment; Beautiful graphics; Great ambient music | | | | helping them, acquire valuable clues as to what has |
| and sound; Totally engrossing gameplay. This game is | | | | happened and how to survive. |
| unbelieveable. If you like RPG's in the SLIGHTEST, buy | | | | I couldn't say it better than this fan: "Thousands and |
| it." | | | | thousands of zombies to kill in a myriad of ridiculous |
| 3. Fight Night Round 3 | | | | ways; tons of things to see and try throughout the mall; |
| Easily beating the competition, Fight Night Round 3 | | | | great sense of style; a plot that manages to be |
| brings the most intense boxing videogame experience | | | | intriguing without intruding too much on the action; and |
| ever to the virtual boxing ring. Film-quality graphics | | | | fantastic sound effects." |
| establish Fight Night Round 3 as one of the best | | | | 9. Saints Row |
| looking and playing Xbox 360 sports games ever | | | | Welcome to Stilwater, an open-world city with attitude, |
| produced. | | | | a city controlled by rival gangs, a city you are about to |
| The graphics showcase devastating punch impacts | | | | take over in Saints Row. As a low-level thug in the |
| unparalleled in any game or film. Outside of the ring, | | | | Third Street Saints, you'll do whatever it takes to get |
| gamers can establish intense rivalries through pre-fight | | | | the money and build the respect and power you need |
| events and trash talk, putting more purpose and | | | | to muscle your way to the top. Be careful, though. |
| passion behind their every hit. | | | | Your actions have consequences within the game, and |
| 4. Tomb Raider: Legend | | | | around every corner lurks a new threat. |
| In Tomb Raider: Legend, Lara Croft, everyone's | | | | Numerous vehicles are available to "borrow," |
| favorite dual pistol-wielding adventurer, makes her way | | | | pedestrians can be slugged or robbed at gunpoint, and |
| back to the lost ancient realms that guard Secrets of | | | | there are an assortment of missions to advance the |
| the Past. You'll immerse yourself in a stunning | | | | game's primarily storyline. Some features include: fun, |
| environment of dangerous adventure and exploration, | | | | responsive driving controls; excellent on-foot shooting |
| as you travel through exquisitely detailed and perilous | | | | action; impressive presentation, featuring amazing |
| locales. Lara has tons of great-looking moves and | | | | explosions and great audio; and a well-written, |
| abilities; there are varied levels take you to exotic | | | | well-acted story which will compel you to keep playing. |
| locations all over the world; excellent voice work and | | | | 10. Hitman: Blood Money |
| sound; great graphics with detailed, textured | | | | On the run from rival assassins, Agent 47 hops a |
| environments. | | | | plane to take care of business stateside in Hitman: |
| 5. Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent | | | | Blood Money. Players will guide Agent 47 through a |
| The bestselling Tom Clancy's "Splinter Cell" game | | | | number of locales, including New Orleans, Los Angeles, |
| takes on an entirely new direction. You play as a | | | | and Las Vegas as he performs hits. It's up to the |
| double agent for the first time ever in Splinter Cell | | | | player to determine the manner in which a hit is |
| Double Agent. You'll take on the dual roles of covert | | | | executed, but the "rookie training" mode can show |
| operative and ruthlessterrorist, where your choices of | | | | amateur assassins how to help targets have |
| whom to betray and whom to protect actually affect | | | | "accidents," by pushing the victim over a ledge or |
| the outcome of your game. | | | | pinning him underneath some heavy object. |
| Experience the relentless tension and gut-wrenching | | | | Money earned from completed jobs varies depending |
| dilemmas of life as a double agent. Lie. Kill. Sabotage. | | | | on the cleanliness and professionalism of the hit. Agent |
| Betray. But above all, save and protect the innocent. | | | | 47's paycheck can be spent in a number of ways |
| How far will you go to gain the enemy's trust? As | | | | including bribing reporters, customizing weapons with |
| covert operative Sam Fisher, you'll infiltrate a vicious | | | | one of 15 upgrades, or paying pedestrians for |
| terrorist group and seek to destroy it from within. | | | | information. Open-ended stealth action gameplay lets |
| Carefully weigh the consequences of your actions-kill | | | | you sneak around, or run and gun; beautifully crafted |
| too many terrorists and blow your cover. Hesitate and | | | | mission set pieces seem appropriately big and |
| millions will die. Do whatever it takes to complete your | | | | complex; large variety of realistic weapons. Great |
| mission, but get out alive. | | | | combination of action and strategy. |
| 6. LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy | | | | |