Hello, gamers. This is the gift guide 2012 for video games. This is the only gift that my kids truly treasure every year. I wrap up other things, like board games and underwear and crafty items, but those gifts are really just filler. They want their electronics.
We're basically a two game system family. There's the Wii upstairs for Ian and his girlie cousins. The XBox 360 is on the downstairs TV for Jonah and his friends who need a shower.
This year, we're upgrading Ian's Wii to the Nintendo Wii U Console – 32GB Black Deluxe Set. Nintendo geeks say it's worth upgrading, because the new controls are cool. They also say that the deluxe model is the better value, even though it's $50 more. Both Game Stop and Toys R Us are selling it for $350, but Toys R Us has a 15% off coupon.
If you're going to get the new Wii, then you need new games. We're getting New Super Mario Bros. Uand Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two
. I also picked up Skylanders Giants Starter Kit
for my mom to give as a gift.
As I explained, we're giving in a bit on the violent video games and getting Jonah two stupid games: Call of Duty: Black Ops II
and Halo 4. There are parental controls on both those games. I suggest using them.
Jonah has several XBox games that I recommend without reservations: FIFA Soccer 13, Portal 2
, and Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
. Portal 2 was Ian's favorite game of the year. He solved it in a couple of months and then replayed the game on the computer version, which also lets you create your own mazes. When he's on the XBox, Ian plays Kinect Sports
.
For some reason, it's become a family tradition to play Just Dance 4. At Thanksgiving, my 70-year old dad was competing in a Dance Off with my five-year old nephew.