Top 5 Holiday Games of 2009

Genre: First Person Shooter
Platforms: X360, PS3, PC
Release Date: 11/10/2009

Without a doubt, Modern Warfare 2 will be the biggest title this holiday season and with good reason. The game thrusts players into its frighteningly frantic battlefields across a wide variety of scenarios and vistas. The guys at Infinity Ward have put a lot love into the story mode of Modern Warfare 2, however, the multiplayer is what will be the meat and potatoes for many fans. And from the multiplayer footage that's been released, it looks faster and more furious than ever. Expect the same modern warfare formula with tons of new perks, weapon attachments, and kill streak bonuses as well as many other features and fps lover would cherish.

Genre: Third Person Action Adventure
Platforms: PS3
Release Date: 10/15/2009

Sony's PlayStation 3 was slow to start in the games department, but they've more than made up for it by now. Uncharted 2 is a great example. You continue to play as Drake, the go getta' protagonist of the first Uncharted, only to take on bigger and crazier adventures. From mysterious underground caverns to exotic South American cities, your in for one hell of a ride. Uncharted 2 builds upon the mechanics of the first game and puts a level of polish that takes the series from being a good one to a fantastic one. If story mode of Uncharted 2 isn't for you (I'm talking to you 3 people), then look no further because Uncharted 2 packs one visceral punch in the multiplayer department. You've got your standard deathmatch, team death match modes, but each seems to have it's own spin on it. Uncharted 2's campaign will more than fill you up, multiplayer is that extra calorie rich desert that will make you sick with gaming bliss.

Genre: Third Person Action Adventure
Platforms: X360, PS3, PC
Release Date: 11/17/2009

The first Assassin's Creed released to mix reviews. Though subject to much praise, the game's overtly reputative nature was the primary reason many disliked the first entry into what is supposedly a trilogy. That being said, the guys at Ubisoft have heard these objections and taken them to heart. Assassin's Creed 2 focuses more on the story of Etzio rather than laying out your objectives in an A B C fashion. A new store allows players to purchase upgrades, weapons, and gadgets that will aid in their quest. Better yet, the same climbing, frantic running from roof top to roof top, and stealthy combat is back with even more varied gameplay. Footage of the game has shown Etzio using a flying device as well as a river boat. The anticipated title releases later in the month.

Genre: Third Person Action Adventure
Platforms: X360
Release Date: 10/29/09

Is there a bigger name in video games than Grand Theft Auto? Only a few of the industry's most recognized franchises can even compare with the controversial 800 pound gorilla that is GTA. And this holiday season, look for Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City, to be one of the hottest gaming gifts to be under everyone's tree. The disc comes packaged with both expansions to GTA 4, The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony. The Lost and Damned was a great biker themed expansion released earlier in the year and The Ballad of Gay Tony is a brand new experience that reverts more to the havoc of San Andreas. GTA 4 is not required to play Tales from Liberty City and at $40.00, how can you pass that up?

Genre: Music
Platforms: X360, PS3, Wii
Release Date: 10/27/2009

By now everyone is familiar with the Guitar Hero craze. Dj Hero looks so shake things up and change the formula a bit. Player who never got into rock/guitar based music may find Dj Hero a pleasant surprise. The game incorporates a simplified Dj turn table and roughly a 100 mash ups from well known pop/rap/hip hop songs. The game still focuses on hitting buttons in accordance to track lines on the screen. However instead of strumming and hitting the whammy bar, you'll be scratching and sliding the cross fader to hit that perfect beat. The turn table's learning curve is a bit steeper, but the satisfaction doesn't suffer. Everyone I've seen walked away from this game with an electric charge in their face as if they'd actually been Djing for real. So loosen up those hands and get ready for another great music based game from Activision.