Great Gaming Gifts - Shooters with Bots for Young Teens Edition

It's hard to get a good video game gift for a 'tween'. Old enough to play somewhat violent games, but not old enough to play online unsupervised. For parents looking for some fairly mature games that your child can enjoy without having to worry about them getting online- here are some suggestions that offer bot multiplayer. Bot multiplayer is a feature that allows your young teenager to play with the CPU- without interaction with vulgar online players. Grab any of these for your Christmas tree!

Unreal Tournament 3
Console(s): Playstation 3 & Xbox 360
Local Play: 2
Online Play: 2-16
Bot Players: 1-15

This is a fantastic title with tons of maps, game types, and characters to download. The gameplay is fast and expertly designed with all sorts of unique vehicles and weapons to use. If you have a pair of young teens, they'll love this one!

Killzone 2
Console(s): Playstation 3
Local Play: 1
Online Play: 2-32
Bot Players: 1-15

Though over-hyped and subject to an underwhelming launch, the game makes for a fun diversion with 16 player bot play. The controls are a little iffy, but it does look great. Too bad there's no split-screen of any sort... A great gift for only children.

Metroid Prime Hunters
Console(s): Nintendo DS
Local Play: 4
Online Play: 2-4
Bot Players: 1-3

For a portable with all the bells and whistles of a console shooter, get Metroid Prime Hunters for your young teen! With safe online play, bot play, download play, and easy to follow controls- they'll love it!

Gears of War 2
Console(s): Xbox 360
Local Play: 1-2
Online Play: 2-10
Bot Players: 2-9

The only colors you'll find are blood red, dull gray, and dirt brown- though the 10 player bot play can be fairly fun. Fans looking for a good 3^rd person shooter with bots will be satisfied. Too bad the characters have neither personality nor necks... If your child doesn't like colorful games, it's a good gift idea.

Perfect Dark Zero
Console(s): Xbox 360
Local Play: 1-4
Online Play: 2-32
Bot Players: 1-15

A fairly shameful follow-up to the amazing original, but still a fun game for 360 owners looking for some fun bot multiplayer or split-screen play. Just ignore the groan-inducing story and awkward controls and you'll probably enjoy yourself. For a girl looking to play a fun shooter with bots, look no further.

Enemy Territories: Quake Wars
Console(s): Playstation 3 & Xbox 360
Local Play: 1
Online Play: 2-16
Bot Players: 1-15

There isn't a lot of variety in gameplay and the graphics aren't as sharp as one might want, but as a rental Quake Wars is worth it. The online play could be a little more responsive, but otherwise it's a solid game for bots fans and only children looking for company.

Call of Duty: Black Ops
Console(s): Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3, & Xbox 360
Local Play: 1-4
Online Play: 2-16
Bot Players: 1-15

Although it failed to advance the series in much of any area, the addition of bot play is a big plus. It may look less graphically impressive than previous iterations, but it offers excellent multiplayer. Well, aside from the fact that bot play requires an online connection (for some bizarre reason) and the game is even more sniper-friendly than past games...

Section 8
Console(s): Playstation 3 & Xbox 360
Local Play: 1
Online Play: 2-16
Bot Players: 1-15

Clearly inspired by Halo and Crackdown, this sci-fi shooter would be much better with split-screen, varied game modes, and a disc version for the PS3. On the positive side, the gameplay is pretty fun. Try the demo on PSN or Xbox Live Arcade and see what you think.