For the sports fan
NBA Live 09 (PS3) Electronic Arts
Sure, it's not a great time to be feeling festive about basketball, with our Otago Nuggets plunging into recession and all that.
But nothing says "Christmas is here" quite like gathering your mates, choosing your favourite NBA team, tossing up some alley-oops and stuffing a ball through the hoop.
Does it?
NBA Live is a series that's been around longer than LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and the other young basketball superstars, but it's ageing quite nicely.
New features include Dynamic DNA (players perform according to real-life analytics), enhanced pick-and-roll control and more international teams. Still no Tall Blacks.
For the family
Monopoly: Here And Now Worldwide Edition (PS3) Electronic Arts
It's Monopoly.
It's a board game.
That you can play on your TV.
Wonders never cease.
Not much more to say other than it's still the most frustrating game out there but it's quite novel to play it electronically.
For the strategy geeks
Civilisation IV: Colonisation (PC) Take 2
A remake of the classic 1994 game from the legendary Sid Meier.
Control settlers from Spain, England, France or the Netherlands and try to conquer the New World in the period of 1492-1792.
Like other Civ games, it's about turn-based strategy, using equal parts diplomacy and brute force to get ahead, develop and discover new technology, and ultimately rule the world, or a hefty chunk of it.
Start on Christmas Day and finish about June.
For trips in the car
Star Wars: Clone Wars (Nintendo DS) LucasArts
Can you name any entertainment series that now lends itself to so many opportunities (movies, TV tie-ins, books, video games) as Star Wars? Didn't think so.
This is a game developed specifically for the nifty DS console, the dual-screen wonder that uses a touch stylus to create the most unique games on the market.
In this adventure, you control an animated Anakin Skywalker (before he got that shady look in his eye) and you get to team up with everyone from Obi-Wan Kenobi to Mace Windu, and even get to play as R2-D2 and C-3PO.
There are puzzles, button-bashing lightsabre duels and lots of point-and-click fun.
The force is strong in this game.
For the petrolhead
MotorStorm: Pacific Rift (PS3) Sony
The first MotorStorm released at the time the PS3 hit the market and was a big reason to shell out megabucks (now down to very large bucks) for the sleek new black console.
Smartly, the developers realised they were on to a good thing and kept the basic formula going in this sequel.
The emphasis is on fun, not realism, as you tear around a volcanic island at insane speeds in a variety of off-road vehicles.
Simple gameplay is augmented by an excellent and simple online competition.
For the kids
Crash: Mind Over Mutant (XBox 360) Sierra
Crash Bandicoot games have traversed a decade and numerous game consoles.
He just won't die - but that's not a bad thing.
After experimenting with different styles, the developers have gone back to old-school crash for this enjoyable platformer.
There are switches to be pulled, obstacles to climb, shiny orbs to absorb and use to gain experience, and all manner of funny beasts to evade or chase.
Great fun.
