What to Buy Your Kids for the Holidays - Xbox 360

The Xbox 360 is yet another favored gift for the holidays. So if you know someone who is getting one, show them that you care by buying them something for it. It should be noted that, unlike the Wii, many of the games have themes of violence (unless otherwise noted). Still, here's a rundown of essentials.

* = also available on PS3

THE BASICS - The games and accounts every Xbox 360 owner should have (you know, unless they hate violence).

Halo 3 (violent)
BioShock (somewhat less violent) *
The Orange Box *
An Xbox Live Gold account - this is about 60 percent of the gaming experience. Live is a must.
A Netflix account - because you can watch movies instantly on your Xbox.

THE FAMILY GAMER - Here are games that aren't violent and are fun for the whole family.

LEGO Batman *
LEGO Indiana Jones *
Viva Pinata
Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise
Banjo Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts

THE MUSICIAN - For the 360 virtuoso.

Singer - Lips
The guy with roommates or friends - Rock Band 2 *
The loner guitarist who stays in his room - Guitar Hero II or Guitar Hero III*

THE JOCK - A few games for the sports savvy.

Madden NFL 09*
NHL 09*
Burnout Paradise (racing)*
Forza Motorsport 2
NBA 2K9*
FIFA Soccer 09*

THE TRIGGER-HAPPY - You know someone who digs violence in their games? Here are some ideas.

Grand Theft Auto IV*
Gears of War 2
Fallout 3*
Call of Duty: World at War (latest Call of Duty game)*
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare*
Left 4 Dead (zombies)

THE PUZZLE MASTER - For the person who is a natural-born problem solver.

Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution*
The Orange Box (for Portal)*
Fable II
Mass Effect

THE STAND-BY - "And I guess that I just don't know." - Lou Reed

Xbox Live Microsoft Point Cards - This is how they get the games they've been craving for so long off of the Xbox Live Arcade. It's a great gift and it's not in disc form (and often, less expensive than most games).

BUY THEM SOMETHING ON THE XBOX LIVE ARCADE - If you're more tapped in to the gaming world, you can jump in and actually purchase them a game off of Xbox Live. Here are a few really good games on the XBLA.

Braid
Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2
Castle Crashers
Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix*
Portal: Still Alive
Mega Man 9*

Another fine group of choices for your friends and family. Again, please leave a comment if you feel I've omitted anything extremely important or if you have any questions about what to buy this holiday season. On to the PS3.