Game gifts demystified: what's out now

The video game aisle can be intimidating for aspiring Santas who haven't touched a joystick since Pong. But it has something for everyone: riveting solo adventures, online multi-player battles and fun-for-the-whole-family social games.

Here are some of the best picks for this holiday season. However, be warned – not all the games are suitable for children, so make sure to note the ratings on all titles before buying.


Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PlayStation 3) Rakish adventurer Nathan Drake hunts for Shangri-La in this sequel, which mixes gunplay, fisticuffs and acrobatics with a witty, unpredictable story. One of the most beautiful video games ever published, it's an interactive version of a Hollywood blockbuster – one of the good ones, like Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The Beatles: Rock Band (Xbox 360, PlayStation3, Wii) For those who prefer classic rock, The Beatles: Rock Band lets you relive the career of the Fab Four, from a Liverpool club to their London rooftop farewell. It's a loving tribute.

Professor Layton & the Diabolical Box (Nintendo DS) Anyone who loves puzzles such as crosswords and sudoku will adore the latest chapter in the Professor Layton series, which weaves about 150 brainteasers into a clever mystery. Forget about those so-called 'brain training' games; the exercises in logic, math, observation and object manipulation here really work out the gray matter.

New Super Mario Bros. (Wii) The latest Mario Bros. instalment returns to the 2-D, side-scrolling action that made the spunky Italian plumber famous. This time, though, up to four people can play cooperatively, so more experienced gamers can guide newbies across the familiar fire pits and floating platforms. Now you can finally show your grandma – or your kids – what the original magic was about.

DJ Hero (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii) Rock-loving gamers have been grooving on Guitar Hero and Rock Band for a few years, but fans of hip-hop and dance music have been left out.

DJ Hero corrects that, putting you behind the wheel of a fake turntable and letting you scratch and mix dozens of combinations of club tracks. It's like hosting a rave in your living room.


- All games are out now and prices start from Dh200

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