Electronics

Holiday 2007 PlayStation 3 Gift Guide: Best Games and Accessories for the PS3

Hot games make great gifts for the PS3 gamer in your life

From Roger Altizer, former About.com Guide

The holidays are a time for giving. Things always seem to work out better, however, when you give people what they actually want. Hopefully this PS3 holiday gift guide can help with that. I've scoured the stores and web to bring you a list that represents the hottest PS3 games of the holiday season. You can also follow the links to find the best prices for your PS3 gifts.

1. The Eye of Judgment - Rated Teen

The Eye of Judgment is not only an incredible game, but is one of the most original, and represents one of the best values you can find in PS3 gamine. Not only do you get a game the likes of which has never existed before, but you also get the new PlayStation Eye (PlayStation USB camera) included with it, as well as a deck of cards and a play mat.

If you have every played a customizable card game (Pokemon, Yugi-oh!, Magic the Gathering, etc.) you will think you have died and gone to heaven. The Eye of Judgment allows players to play physical cards on their coffee tables and have them come to life on their T.V.. It is unbelievable, and a clear lock for my top PS3 game to give this holiday.

2. Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction - Rated Everyone 10+

Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools of Destruction - PS3

Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction is not only the prettiest game on the PS3, it may be one of the best looking on any system, ever. There is a reason that so many reviewers game this game a perfect score, it is a nearly perfect game.

Sony's near-mascots Ratchet and Clank return to more 3D platforming. There is tons of jumping, collecting, fighting, and chuckling as you play through the single player campaign. If this gem has a weakness, that's it: it is a single player only affair.

In its defense, Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction offers one of the most memorable sci-fi romps in all of gamedom. Ratchet and Clank Future is a great game to give anyone on your list.

3. Guitar Hero III - Rated Teen

This is the season of dueling rock games. Everyone wants either Rock Band or Guitar Hero III, but which to buy?

My vote? Guitar Hero III. I know it's sounds like an odd choice but let me give you a couple of reasons why.

Rock Band isn't ready. I can't tell you how many people are returning or complaining about their guitars breaking. Wait until 2008 when they have worked out the kinks.
Future compatibility. PS3 Guitar Hero III controllers do not currently work with Rock Band, but there is a good chance they will in the near future. This means you can have both!
Guitar Hero III is a great game. It is not as innovative as Rock Band, but it's fun and it works, and that matters.

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4. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune - Rated Teen

Think Tomb Raider meets Indiana Jones meets Resident Evil 4 and you've got a good idea of how Uncharted: Drake's Fortune looks and plays. This game, frankly, surprised me. It looked, played, and sounded not only better than I expected, but better than most of the other games released this holiday season.

If you've got someone who likes action/adventure games, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune is sure to be a hit. With its extremely high production values it is a fun and funny adventure.

5. Assassin's Creed - Rated Mature

Stealth action in medieval times? Assassin's Creed is not only a highly original game, but a deep one as well. Assassin's Creed has you stealing and killing, not a game for the kids, in a setting not as well explored as one may think. With great graphics, design, and silky smooth motion, Assassin's Creed is a pleasure to play. A perfect gift for anyone who enjoys sneaking around in robes.

6. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare - Rated Mature

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare helps the venerable CoD franchise make the jump to contemporary combat and weapons. It does so with such flair that you may think that they've been making modern warfare games all along.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare's single player game will have you jumping back and forth around the globe from playing British covert ops in the former Soviet Union to firing big guns as an American soldier in the Middle East. As much fun as the missions are, the real action is online where players go head to head.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is a good looking game with a surprisingly wide variety of game modes. This is a great first person shooter that shouldn't be missed.

7. Warhawk - Rated Teen

Warhawk is a multiplayer only game, so if you don't have your PS3 connected to the interenet, you want to steer clear of this one.

If your PS3 is online, then this is a must have game. There has never been an online multiplayer game with the scope of Warhawk. Run around, drive a tank, hope in the back of a jeep, fire a missle battery, fly a Warhawk... there is a dizzying array of choices and it all happens very fast, with 31 other people. Amazing.

Note, you can download this game and save a couple of bucks, but buy the retail version. Not only is the Blu-ray disc nice to have, it includes a Jabra Bluetooth headset so you can taunt your enemies online.

8. Need for Speed: ProStreet - Rated Everyone 10+

Need for Speed: ProStreet tones down the Fast and the Furious over the top neon lit atmosphere to focus on realism this time around. Don't get me wrong, Need for Speed: ProStreet is still all about tuner cars, they now simply look and drive like the real deal.

Some have complained that there weren't enough locations in the game, but they miss the point. Need for Speed: ProStreet is about endless options and realism over gimmicks and tourism. Right now, this is the best racing game on the PS3, hands down.

9. Medal of Honor: Airborne - Rated Teen

Medal of Honor: Airborne faces stiff competition. While new to the PS3, it has seen incarnations on other consoles already. To its credit, however, if you haven't played it Medal of Honor: Airborne provides one of the more memorable shooter experiences we've seen in a while.

Yes, this is the game that you jump out of airplanes and start the level wherever you land. The system works well, and combined with classic Medal of Honor storytelling you get to live out your Saving Private Ryan/Band of Brothers fantasies all over again.

Medal of Honor: Airborne is a great game for the WWII game fan on your list.

10. PS3 Blu-ray Remote

One of the most popular features of the PS3 is its ability to play hi-def Blu-ray movies. Unfortunately, because the PS3 uses Bluetooth for it's wireless input, most universal remote controls simply will not work with it.

Sure you can use the Sixaxis PS3 controller as a remote, but it is a bit, um, let's say "awkward" (not to mention silly looking). Boost the cool of your gift recipient by giving them a PS3 Blu-ray remote control. Not only will they be grateful, but so will the non-gamers in the house who simply want to use the PS3 to play a movie. I am always shocked at how few people own the PS3 Blu-ray remote control.