Holiday Gift Guide 09: Sports

Sports is the only genre that can have annual releases and not get any stick, it’s also the only category where the majority of titles are from the same publisher. That said EA does a terrific job year in and year out and build upon a game so much that we scowl when we revisit a previous release. One title managed to swerve around Activision’s gimmicks with style and flair while another uses plastic peripherals to its advantage. As the year closes let’s celebrate another great year in Sports and here’s that Gift Guide you so desperately need.

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  Fifa 10

  360/PS3/PC | Price: $60 (£40)

  Building on the success of last year’s release, Fifa 10 undoubtedly takes the crown this time around as simply the best football experience on a console. Miles ahead of anything Konami has put out in recent years, a real footy fan will tell you the Pro Evo series is now a thing of the past. Not much has changed on the graphical front, but these minor slip-ups can be forgiven when the gameplay has been so finely tuned. Introducing the first-ever 360º dribbling system, behavioural intelligence, and an all new practice arena, if there’s only one football game you’ll be playing this year, let it be Fifa 10.

• 

  Fight Night Round 4

  360/PS3 | Price: $60 (£40)

  Fight Night Round 4 delivers an enthralling single player and multiplayer experience all wrapped up in a neat and elegant package. In terms of boxing games, 2009 has been a great year, seeing the release of both Punch Out and Fight Night. When it came down to a decision we just couldn’t pass up the stylish looks and realistic gameplay Fight Night Round 4 had to offer.


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  Madden NFL 10

  360/PS3 | Price: $60 (£40)

  Only recommending five titles for the gift guide left a looming decision to be made between NCAA and Madden in terms of American Football games. You didn’t think we could go without recommending a Madden game in our Gift Guide, did you? The deal breaker was just how polished, popular, and fine-tuned the Madden series has become with it’s newest release. With a slower pace than previous iterations in the series and the feature rich co-operative and multiplayer options, Madden is a simple choice to make for any sports gamer.

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  Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games

  Wii | Price: $50 (£40)

  Mario and Sonic are heading to Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Choose from a legendary cast as you use the Wii’s Balance Board, Nunchuk, and Wiimote to compete in over 25 different events. Skiing, figure skating, hockey, bobsleighing and many more all make an appearance in this highly competitive title. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games offers some really great multiplayer modes, single player, and even a co-operative option for you and your friends to create a team and try for the gold. Gamers of all ages will be able to find something to enjoy in this unique take on the Olympic Winter Games.

• 

  Skate 2

  360/PS3 | Price: $40 (£30)

  Those sick at the milking of the Tony Hawk series will find a safe haven here. 2007 saw EA securing their kneepads and ascending the Half-pipe bringing us Skate. A worthy first take on the sport Skate wasn’t without its flaws, EA Black Box promised to bring what we loved from the first and fix what was broken. Enter Skate 2, the second stab at the series and one that reaches all new heights. Taking the original blueprint from the first game and building upon it saw Tony Hawk running scared. Skate 2 finally feels comfortable this time around, with the new features, move-sets and an endless amount of challenges you won’t want to get off your board. This year you’ve got but two choices, Skate don’t RIDE!

• 

  UFC 2009 Undisputed

  360/PS3 | Price: $60 (£40)

  Offering one of the most realistic UFC experiences ever, Undisputed is unmatched when it comes to Mixed Martial Arts games. Realistic looking characters, highly customizable fighting techniques and attributes, and a learning curve that stresses training all add to the authentic feel of the game. Despite this being Yukes first crack at an MMA game, they have managed to create a truly engaging experience for any UFC fan.